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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 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

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Dear Holly: You in Your Bedroom When No One Else is Around

7 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

Right now as I type this from the bonus room, I am catching glimpses of you and hearing your sweet voice as you are apparently babysitting your dolls in your bedroom.

Now that you are growing up and becoming much more indepenent, you seem to enjoy having time to yourself; when the rest of us all have our own projects.

You set up the tablet for the dolls to watch videos on YouTube, while you provide snacks and wardrobe changes for them.

The whole time, I hear you speaking; though I can never make out what you are telling them.

I just love this!

Love,

Daddy