fatherhood

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Dear Jack: Starting 8th Grade

13 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

As I drove you to your first day of 8th grade this week, I reminded you:

Eight grade was one of my favorite years of being in school.

I loved being able to go to the orientation with you and see so many of the people I grew up with, who are A) teachers at the middle school now or B) have kids your age who are at the middle school with you.

Fortunately, you already know some of the boys from church; so you’re not completely “the new kid” who doesn’t no anyone yet.

Not to mention, your cousin Calla is there alongside you, since she is the same age.

And if nothing else, you definitely have the coolest boy perm in the entire 8 grade.

So at least you’ve got that going for you.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Starting 3rd Grade

8 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

As I predicted last week, you lost your other front tooth just in time for 3rd grade. I admit, I felt sad after pulling it for you; as it hit me:

This is the last time I am going to pull one of my kids’ front teeth!

But you definitely have not been sad this week. Instead, you have been so excited to start 3rd grade at your new school in Alabama.

And somehow, don’t ask me how… you and your cousin Darla happened to get into the same classroom.

You are going to love 3rd grade.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Got a Perm for the 8th Grade School Year

13 years, 8 months.
Dear Jack,
Twenty-six years ago in the summer of 1998, I went to get a perm from Chalane McClung at Golden Shears; in preparation of my upcoming senior year at Fort Payne High School.
This week, you got a perm from Chalane McClung at Golden Shears; in preparation of your upcoming 8th grade year at Fort Payne Middle School.
It was all your idea. You have been refraining from getting a haircut for the past 3 months.
And now, you have confirmed it was totally worth it.
Not only do you get to be the cool new kid who transferred in from Tennessee, but you get to be the boy with the coolest hair!
Love,
Daddy
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Dear Holly: You Lost Your First Front Tooth This Week

8 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

It feels so weird to say this, but you start the 3rd grade next week. I thought we were still in the middle of summer right now, but I guess not.

You are very proud that you will begin the new school year, and your new school in a new state, with one of your front teeth missing.

Actually, I will be very surprised if you make it another week before losing your other front tooth.

It’s so wiggly right now that it is just funny that it’s still hanging in there!

Either way, you made 10 bucks this week from losing that tooth. I guess that means another 10 bucks is on the way.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Favorite Vacation Ever

13 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

Turns out, I was right regarding how you would feel about experiencing the Pacific West coast for the first time.

Our first morning there, I took you out on Nye Beach. You were surprised by the chilly, choppy water; which was in obvious contrast to the beaches you have known in Florida.

Like me, you were mesmerized by the dreamy, never-ending ocean; further shrouded in mystery by the dense fog.

You enjoyed discovering the new marine life you have never been exposed to.

The “quicksand” also provided a bit of entertainment for you as well.

As we left Nye Beach that first full day in Nye Beach, you told me, “Daddy, this is the best beach I have ever been to.”

A few days later, as our family had just finished our giant dune buggy tour, you announced, “This is the best vacation we have ever been on!”

I’m so glad you feel about way. I agree.

 

Love,

Daddy