parenting

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling

Dear Holly: You Got to Ride in the Moving Truck

8 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

As I drove the moving truck from our home we are selling in Tennessee to the home we are moving into and renovating in Alabama, the cab was filled with guitars and TV screens.

However, after we unloaded the truck at our Alabama home, I had to drive a little over an hour to return the truck in Georgia.

Your brother turned down my amazing and generous offer. But you did not.

We were sitting up as high as most 18 wheeler trucks.

Whereas in a normal car you can barely see out the window, in the 26 foot long moving truck, you had what was basically an aerial view; compared to what you are used to.

I was so happy for you to keep me company, riding shotgun in the moving truck!

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Jack: Moving Day

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday, your best friend Landon showed up to say goodbye, as his dad and I loaded up the moving truck for our move from Tennessee to Alabama.

I am fully confident the two of you will not grow distant after our move. After all, his entire family drove to Alabama for my 40th birthday party, back when we only had known his parents for a week or so.

Though it happened too quickly for me to capture it on camera last Friday, I did witness what I perceive as the first and only time the two of you hugged.

Because, you know… it’s a guy thing. Gotta play things cool.

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling

Dear Jack: Are You Trying to Be Beavis?

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

As of today, you are exactly 13 and a half years old.

Living in the same house as you everyday, seeing you walk by me, I tend to think, “That’s the same boy who a decade ago was obsessed with collecting Thomas the Train toys. But now, he’s grown up. He’s a teenager. I am the father of a teenage son.” I am still grasping with the concept.

A few weeks ago at your sister’s birthday party, your Aunt Dana took a couple of pictures of you with your cousin Calla. Of course, you couldn’t help but to have a ridiculous composure.

I’m definitely getting Beavis vibes there. (The one with the blonde hair, wearing the Metallica t-shirt.)

This is a glimpse of what a 13 and a half year-old boy is like.

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Holly: A Little Girl’s Bedroom Inside of a Little Girl’s Bedroom

8 years.

Dear Holly,

Your big birthday gift from Mommy and me was an Our Generation bedroom for your dolls; which you specifically asked for.

I laughed out loud the first morning I walked into your bedroom after you set it up and broke it in, by having your dolls arrange some of their accessories in it.

The thought is hilarious, absurd, and yet completely logical for an 8 year-old girl:

That a little girl’s bedroom is now inside of a little girl’s bedroom.

When I asked you how old your newest Our Generation doll Jenny is, you responded, “She’s 8, like me.”

So it is confirmed: In my house, I have an 8 year-old girl with a bedroom that hosts its own bedroom for another 8 year-old girl.

It is quite the frame-in-frame situation.

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Jack: You Made Yourself the Manager of the Massage Gun

13 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

With an Amazon gift card our family recently received, you convinced Mommy to spend it on a DDVWU massage gun, which is the $40 version of the $150 Theragun.

(I think your original inspiration was to use it to recover being sore from playing baseball.)

Once it arrived a few days later, you immediately unboxed it, studied the manual, and then began practicing all the settings on Mommy.

Of course, after all your hard work, you naturally needed your own massage. Like clockwork, your sister stepped in.

She was proud to try out what she learned by watching you.

I’m still surprised that it is because of you that our family now owns a massager gun.

Love,

Daddy