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Dear Jack: Our Family’s New Saturday Morning Tradition

12 years old.

Dear Jack,

It is now family tradition each Saturday morning that we hang out at The Factory at Franklin, which is about 30 minutes from our house.

This started about a month ago, when I suggested our family go get a donut from Five Daughters Bakery, and then over to Honest Coffee Roasters.

While there, we walked through a shop that had an Enneagram book on display, that decided to buy on a whim.

I turned to the chapter on Enneagram 6, which is what I am, and I read, “My idea of relaxation: A quiet Saturday morning with people I love.”

And now we go to the Franklin Factory every Saturday morning; knowing that however busy our weekend may be, we can at least start it out with a time of fun and relaxation together as a family.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: This Has Been Your Biggest Halloween Yet!

6 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

When Covid happened a couple of years ago, I feel like it sort of put a damper on Halloween for the past couple of years since.

But this year, Halloween was back!

Last weekend, we actually went to a Halloween party at your friend’s house, and it wasn’t even related to anyone’s birthday. That’s like the first “non-birthday” party you have ever been to.

And for trick-or-treating, you and your brother used our Radio Flyer wagon to gather candy, as opposed to tradition Halloween buckets.

The result: The wagon was completely full of candy!

This has been a big Halloween for us all!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are the Perfect Picture of What Autumn is to Me

6 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

This past weekend our family visited Gentry Farm, as is our tradition. One of my favorite pictures I took while we were there is of you holding a pumpkin.

Once we got back to the house, I asked you what your favorite part of our visit was, and you said it was when you got to pick out a pumpkin.

You are the perfect picture of what autumn is me:

Getting to enjoy the beautiful colors outside with our family, after the mosquitos have all disappeared and before the bitter winter wind starts blowing.

You and I agree that Fall is the best season!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: I See You Working on Emotionally Maturing

11 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

As you are now only a few weeks away from your 12th birthday, I am definitely seeing signs of your maturing on an emotional level; more than ever before.

You are better embracing your role as protector and mentor, as an older brother; as opposed to seeing your sister as a threat to attention on you.

I can relate.  I have grown this year as well.

I feel that this year for me has been the greatest amount of personal growth I have ever experienced; as I have learned who I actually am from an Enneagram perspective.

Similarly, I understand you better as well. And I think that, in turn, as helped you in your role as an older brother.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Family’s 1st Trip to Dollywood

6 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

For Fall Break this year, we did something very special as a family. We travelled 4 hours away to visit Dollywood- and we met your cousins there, as well. Amazingly, none of us had ever been there before.

You definitely enjoyed the rides, though you decided not to try any of the scarier ones this time; despite The Tower of Terror being your favorite when we visited Disney World last Christmas.

I enjoyed the rides as well, and I was truly surprised that they were more thrilling than I expected; even if Aunt Dana’s hilarious picture of me would indicate otherwise…

 

Love,

Daddy