fatherhood

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Dear Jack: Life with Your New Dirt Bike

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

You’re one lucky boy. You wanted a dirt bike for Christmas and you got one. Not just any dirt bike, but specifically the one you did all the research on and determined would be the best.

I did have reservations that it might not be exactly what you wanted once it arrived, but fortunately, I was wrong.

It is very clear that this dirt bike is not only important for you in that it gives you the ability to go exploring, but it also means that new friends show up in our driveway to go riding with you.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Getting Yourself Ready for School

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

I’d say around once a month, Mommy has to drive to Nashville for a day or two for work. When that happens, as is the case this week, I am always amazed at your miraculous ability to care for yourself.

Completely on your own initiative without me ever saying a word, you confidently work your way around the kitchen, putting together your lunch and snack for school.

You get dressed and even brush your hair… as if I’m not even in the room.

Ah, but that will all change once Mommy is back on Friday.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Walking Away from the Explosion

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

After we all had opened our presents at Nonna and Papa’s house on Christmas morning, Papa was letting volunteers test out his new hot rod he’s been working on.

Mommy and I came outside to check it out. Nonna saw us standing there and decided to take a picture of us. As she did, Uncle Andrew pulled up in the driveway with you in the passenger seat.

Nonna’s back was turned to you guys pulling in, but the look on our faces told her something wasn’t quite right…

She decided to take another picture of us right then; capturing that moment of, “Umm… what’s going on here?!”…

Fortunately it was just steam, and not smoke, spewing from the front of the car.

Either way, like an action hero walking away from an explosion, that was you escaping from Papa’s hot rod.

So yeah, maybe Papa’s still got a few more bugs to work through on his hot rod.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Visiting the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

When I was a kid, I ended up at the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville every summer- whether it was through Cub Scouts, a field trip through school, or our family visiting there.

So it’s odd for me to imagine that this past week made the first time ever that Mommy and I took you and your brother there.

Granted, your favorite part was stopping by the souvenir shop on our way out. And what did you choose?

A stuffed animal that is a personified version of the planet Mars…

Sure, why not?!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your New Quarter Zip Pullover

15 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

I observed how over the past month or so, you have been curious about owning a quarter zip pullover. I definitely remember what it was like being a teenage boy, when my wardrobe was mostly just cool/weird t-shirts and baggy pants, but how I still had a couple collared shirts and one pair of chino pants for when I needed to wear something nice.

Last Friday night after work and school, we made our way to Scottsboro for a Publix and TJ Maxx run. The one thing you sought out while we were there was a quarter zip pullover; as I could tell you wanted another “nice” item to be able to wear.

Fate would have it, our family ended up on stage at church on Sunday, as our family was asked to light the advent candles. You got to debut your quarter zip pullover.

Our friends Mohamad and Lena also happened to drive over from Tennessee to visit us here in Alabama last weekend as well. When Mohamad took a photo of all of us together at our house, what did you decide to throw on?

Your quarter zip pullover.

 

Love,

Daddy