parenting

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Dear Holly: I Can’t Slow Down Time, Any More Than I Already Am

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

If anyone has been the most prepared and was made the most aware that “kids go up so fast” before they became a parent, it was me.

For both you and your brother, I have been writing at least one letter to you each, since several months before you both were born.

I have made a point to take as many pictures as I could and document a particular story that best served as a highlight for your childhood development that week.

Yet still, that doesn’t slow things down. It’s my feeble attempt at sort of freezing real life happening right in front of me.

I do my best. I do everything I can to celebrate your life every day; to not take you or your brother for granted.

I cherish our morning routine of pushing you in the stroller on my daily three mile walk; only stopping to let you see if there are any good children’s books available in the tiny “give a book, take a book” community libraries in each neighborhood we pass.

It’s memories like that… I will always hold on to.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Now Join Me at the Actual Barbershop

12 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

When it comes to getting our haircuts, you and I have always done things together.

Back when you were a toddler, I buzzed off your hair myself, as I did the same on mine.

For most of your life though, we would go to Great Clips together.

But recently, I decided I was worth it: It was time for me to start going to an actual barber.

It was no surprise to me when Mommy told me that you wanted to start going with me to my personal barber, Leo.

You are so proud to be going to the real deal now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: The Dance Class You are Teaching at Our House?

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

One of your daily activities this summer, while Mommy and I are both working, is to teach yourself how to dance; thanks to YouTube.

Last week, I happened to step in the room while you were actually leading a dance class of your own; to teach your stuffed aninals how to dance.

It is fascinating to me see show how a 7 year-old girl keeps herself entertained during the summer.

Granted, Mommy and I are also sending you to actual dance classes this summer as well.

But now I am starting to wonder about the possibility of you teaching yourself just as much about dancing. I wouldn’t be surprised, knowing you.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: The Father’s Day Where Papa Saved the Day!

12 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week was not only Father’s Day Weekend, but it was also Nonna and Papa’s 46th wedding anniversary, as well as when Mommy and I had bought tickets to see Bryan Adams in concert in downtown Nashville.

So they chose to spend Father’s Day and their wedding anniversary at our house, three hours away.

Because Papa can fix anything, which just happened to be what the t-shirt said that we gave him as part of his Father’s Day gifts, we had some projects for him to tackle while he was in town.

Not only did he save the day by replacing the leaking pipe leading to our water heater in the garage, but another miracle he was able to perform was to fix the tire on your model truck that you had accidentally glued on the wrong way.

Maybe at some point, Papa can visit us without us giving him a task list?

Probably not. He’s too good at fixing everything!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Helped Mommy Repaint Our Backyard Sign

7 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

We have always talked as a family about the idea of buying one of those giant metal chickens for our backyard. This past weekend, we settled for two lifesize metal chickens instead.

After we set them up in the backyard, Mommy decided our sign that hanging up on the fence needed to be repainted, since the words had completed faded. They originally read, “This is My Happy Place.”

Our backyard has now had a little makeover. We can enjoy it for about another week… until the mosquitoes and humidity make it too miserable to be outside in Tennessee for the rest of the summer.

Love,

Daddy