parenting

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Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 13th Birthday

13 years old!

Dear Jack,

Happy 13th birthday!

If today had not been so exciting for us all today at our house, I might have actually had a chance to feel sad about you becoming a teenager today.

But between your new fishing-themed birthday gifts and the fact you lost a tooth on the way out the door to school this morning, I haven’t had much opportunity to think about how this has been the quickest 13 years of my life.

This is the 13 year-old version of my son:

You love to fish, you love exotic sports cars, and you are convinced that you have what it takes to become a millionaire by your 20th birthday.

Yep, that sounds about right.

I am so grateful you were born 13 years ago today.

I love you so much!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Won “Best Costume” at Mommy’s Halloween Office Party

7 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

There has been a lot of hype this year leading up to your Halloween costume.

Because it wasn’t just about your costume; it was also ensuring that your doll June had a costume to match yours!

Your careful planning paid off, because at Mommy’s Halloween office party, you were voted “Best Costume” by everyone there!

Not only did you get some major bragging rights, but you also got a $15 gift card for Barnes & Noble.

Good thing June came along with us. I know she had a fun time there at the party with everyone!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Final Halloween as a “Kid”

12 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

In two weeks, you will be turning 13 years old. For Halloween this year, I have been very mindful that, for what it’s worth, this is your final Halloween as a “kid”.

Despite your proximity to being a cool teenager, you were definitely were not too cool for the Halloween activities our family participated in this week.

You truly enjoyed picking out your monkey costume and wearing it to Mommy’s work party and for trick-or-treating.

It was probably the coldest Halloween this year.

After Mommy and your sister turned around and walked back home because of the cold, you decided you wanted to keep on going.

I walked with you another 45 minutes or so.

It was so cold, my throat is still sore from it.

But it was worth it.

 

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Helping Your Sister Collect Seashells in Naples

12 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

During your Fall Break in Naples, we got a chance to visit Tigertail Beach Park.

While Mommy and I just chilled on a beach towel in the sand, your sister gladly followed your lead in scouting out the best seashells.

I love it that the two of you are old enough to spend time together making childhood memories on vacation.

You’re now just a couple of weeks away from your 13th birthday…

So I am definitely aware that when I say “childhood memories”, they are soon to be “teenage memories” for you.

Either way, the memories you make with your sister during this time are definitely still childhood memories for her.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Playing Bongos at Uncle Tom’s Bob Marley Party

7 and a half years old.

Dear Holly,

I am so glad that Uncle Tom and Aunt Jen were able to plan their Bob Marley party around your week of Fall Break.

You kept making your rounds to the bongo drums, getting as much practice as you could; even when no one else was around to see it.

It was a chilly week back home in Tennessee, but in Naples where we were, it was definitely warm enough that you and your brother had plenty of time to swim in the pool.

And that includes when we arrived from the airport around midnight!

What a perfect way to spend Fall Break.

 

Love,

Daddy