fatherhood

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Dear Jack: Helping Papa Restore His 1980 MG as He Retires Today!

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

Today is a very special day. After working at the same company since 1979, Papa’s last day of work is today.

He is retiring!

That means he is going to have more time to take you fishing and also be able to work on restoring his 1980 MG too.

This past weekend you helped Papa put on the louvers on the hood, as well as the antenna.

Granted, it is definitely a strange time to be retiring, as we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown.

But fortunately, none of that has delayed his retirement.

This is going to be very exciting!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter on Her 4th Birthday

4 years old today!

Dear Holly,

I have to say: You’ve been wanting to turn 4 years old for a long time now… I’d say for about a year, actually!

Your day has finally come: Today is your 4th birthday!

This is your COVID-19 birthday, but you will never remember that part of it- other than the fact that for some reason, both Mommy and Daddy stayed at home with you on that birthday.

It is obvious how I am so proud to be your Daddy. I am so glad that all of the little girls in the world, I get to have you, my little “Squeaky”, as my daughter.

I love you Holly!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Wearing Mommy’s Lipstick to See If I Would Notice

3 years, 11 months. (Tomorrow is your 4th birthday!)

Dear Holly,

With me being at home now on furlough from my job until July 1st, you and I spend a lot more time together than we are used to.

Most days are a blur of you playing downstairs with your toys while I get work done, mixed with me doing puzzles with you or teaching you how to spell, or taking you outside to play.

But one day last week, after for playing with your toy makeup set for nearly 30 minutes, you sneaked away, only for a minute.

Then you walked up to me, smiling- but not saying a word.

It took me about 5 seconds to figure it out:

“Holly, look at your lipstick! You look beautiful!”

You are still so proud of yourself for knowing how to apply real lipstick.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Tamed a Pet Snake? Of Course You Did!

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

At no point in my boyhood, nor in my adulthood, have I ever thought to A) look for a snake in the woods, B) find one, C) hand tame it, and D) proceed to keep it as a temporary pet.

Needless to say, that is exactly what you have done this week.

Granted, I looked it up immediately to ensure it is not poisonous to humans; which it is not.

It’s a garter snake.

And all because 3rd grade ended early due to COVID-19.

Otherwise, you’d be in math class right about now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Indoor COVID-19 Easter Egg Hunt

3 years, 11 months.

 

Dear Holly,

This year Easter was a bit different. Normally, we would have been in Alabama to celebrate it, along with Nonna’s birthday. On top of the lockdown, it also rained all day.

Therefore, we had Easter indoors. We watched the church service online while making pancakes.

Afterwards, I set up the egg hunt in our house. The layout for our home is basically just a 2 story cube with a staircase straight through the middle.

So I hid 16 eggs on the right side of the house for you, and the other 16 for your brother.

I feel like you had just as much fun this way, compared to had the Easter egg hunt been outdoors!

Love,

Daddy