Dear Holly: New Friends Await

7 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

Last weekend, Nonna and Papa once again hosted the official Easter Egg Hunt at their house in Alabama.

Pretty much immediately, you got to meet a friend of your cousin Darla’s. The three of you hung out together the entire time.

As we finish out your current 2nd school year here in Tennessee, you continue to stand by your statement, “I’m pretty good at making new friends.”

You’re right. That’s actually one of the things you do best… and with little effort!

I am excited for the new friends you will make in Alabama.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Personal Coaching Lessons for Baseball

13 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

Joining a baseball team has been such a good activity for you right now. It has inspired you to choose to spend so much of your free time practicing.

We have been investing in purchasing extra equipment for you to practice with.

I have been so pleased with the personal coaching lessons you have been going to, as well. Your coach specifically made a point to tell me that you are very coachable and that he can see how you are improving and learning.

Coming up here in a few weeks, you will actually start having games!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Our Final Daddy Daughter Dance in Tennessee

7 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

Last Friday night I took you to the Daddy Daughter Dance for the 3rd and final time at our church here in Tennessee.

I thought about how after we move to Alabama this summer, it is not for certain that we will have access to dances like these, where we are moving.

So I definitely cherished every minute with you at the dance.

As always, we were the first in the door, the last to leave, and the most active out there on the dance floor!

About an hour into it, you told me you needed to take a break. In the gift bags we received, we both got a Hershey’s chocolate bar.

We wolfed those down to use as fuel to keep the party going. People were depending on us out there.

And we didn’t let them down.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: The Cake Decorating Class You Attended

7 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week during your Spring Break in Alabama, you got to be part of a Simply Sweet cake decorating class with your cousins.

It was a wonderful glimpse of what life will be like for you when we move to Alabama in a couple of months.

I loved being there to witness you not only learning how to decorate a cake, but also, learning about manners and etiquette; which I personally hold in high regards.

Something else I appreciated about the class is that you were required to introduce yourself to everyone and describe what things you are currently interested in; as you illustrated your name badge accordingly.

It was so sweet, and hilarious, that you chose to feature SpongeBob SquarePants.

Of course, once the two hour class was over, you certainly didn’t go home empty handed.

We were able to enjoy a delicious cake that you decorated!

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Your Voice is Noticeably Changing

13 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

In the same way I have been discreet with you about how you are now shaving your mustache, I refuse to openly acknowledge with you that you are currently experiencing your voice changing.

There are definitely those “Peter Brady moments”, where your voice squeaks/cracks in the middle of a sentence. I never mention it. I never want you to feel embarrassed as it happens.

Undeniably, you are now transitioning from having a boy’s voice to a young man’s voice.

But that is not a conversation either you nor I feel like having.

Instead, you’d rather just keep advancing your baseball skills.

“Sounds” good to me!

 

Love,

Daddy