Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting

Dear Jack: Building the Electric Car at School

15 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

This week your high school invited the parents to come meet the teachers and see the classrooms. My favorite part was being able to check out your work so far on the electric car that you and a few other classmates are currently building.

I have to say: Of course you would end up in a class where you get to build an electric car… and have fun doing it… and that it would just come naturally for you.

Undeniably so, all those hundreds (and maybe thousands?) of dollars we spent buying you Legos when you were a kid are paying off!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Boom Days 2026

10 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

One of my favorite events of the year in our town is Boom Days. Even during the many years we lived in Tennessee when you and your brother were younger, I always made a point for us to drive down to Fort Payne to be a part of the festivities.

Last Saturday, I actually showed up at Boom Days three different times throughout the day:

You and I went in the morning to catch the aftermath of the pet parade and so you could check out the vendor tents. Then Mommy and I were there during the middle of the day for the wine tasting. And finally, our whole family went back that night for the Sara Evans concert.

I just love being able to participate in celebrating our town each year and spending that time with our family.

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling

Dear Jack: Dogsitting Yet Again

15 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Over the past several years  you have been approached multiple times by people, as you apparently seem like the kind of kid who could appreciate making some extra money taking care of people’s dogs while they are out of town.

And you have yet to turn down the job each time. This is never something you have advertised about yourself or sought out.

Well… it happened again.

You were in charge of feeding and letting out our friends’ dogs last weekend.

Dogs just are naturally drawn to you. And so are dog owner’s!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Little Ridge Leaders

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Even though you had been telling me about it, I didn’t quite understand what a big deal it was that you served as a Little Ridge Leader at your school for an entire week… until it was over and I saw it posted on your school’s Facebook page.

Every morning over the school speakers from the office, you and one of your classmates led the entire school in a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the daily education lesson for the day.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this is that you and your classmate were the very first students in her class to be chosen for this responsibility.

You stood out to her and that’s why she chose you.

I am just so proud of you!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: The New Dirtbike Track on Our Street

15 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Thanks to one of our neighbors just a few houses down the street, you now have unlimited access to a homemade dirtbike track that he made in his backyard.

You invited Mommy and I to come watch you take a few laps. It immediately reminded me of a Nintendo game I played as a kid: Excitebike.

Not only do you have one of the coolest electric dirtbikes, but now you have an amazing track, with jumps, to race it on. For free!

Love,

Daddy