Storytelling

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Dear Holly: Boom Days 2026

10 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

One of my favorite events of the year in our town is Boom Days. Even during the many years we lived in Tennessee when you and your brother were younger, I always made a point for us to drive down to Fort Payne to be a part of the festivities.

Last Saturday, I actually showed up at Boom Days three different times throughout the day:

You and I went in the morning to catch the aftermath of the pet parade and so you could check out the vendor tents. Then Mommy and I were there during the middle of the day for the wine tasting. And finally, our whole family went back that night for the Sara Evans concert.

I just love being able to participate in celebrating our town each year and spending that time with our family.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Dogsitting Yet Again

15 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Over the past several years  you have been approached multiple times by people, as you apparently seem like the kind of kid who could appreciate making some extra money taking care of people’s dogs while they are out of town.

And you have yet to turn down the job each time. This is never something you have advertised about yourself or sought out.

Well… it happened again.

You were in charge of feeding and letting out our friends’ dogs last weekend.

Dogs just are naturally drawn to you. And so are dog owner’s!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Little Ridge Leaders

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Even though you had been telling me about it, I didn’t quite understand what a big deal it was that you served as a Little Ridge Leader at your school for an entire week… until it was over and I saw it posted on your school’s Facebook page.

Every morning over the school speakers from the office, you and one of your classmates led the entire school in a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the daily education lesson for the day.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this is that you and your classmate were the very first students in her class to be chosen for this responsibility.

You stood out to her and that’s why she chose you.

I am just so proud of you!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: The New Dirtbike Track on Our Street

15 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Thanks to one of our neighbors just a few houses down the street, you now have unlimited access to a homemade dirtbike track that he made in his backyard.

You invited Mommy and I to come watch you take a few laps. It immediately reminded me of a Nintendo game I played as a kid: Excitebike.

Not only do you have one of the coolest electric dirtbikes, but now you have an amazing track, with jumps, to race it on. For free!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: The Cat That Followed Us Home

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Every evening after dinner, we try to take a one mile walk through the neighborhood as a family. We started noticing these two cats running out to welcome us every time we turned the corner.

The two cats insist on us stopping to pet them for a few minutes each time we pass.

One day a couple of weeks ago, one of the cats followed us home. When I woke up the next morning to go on my walk, it was still there on our front porch!

I made sure to carry him back to his actual home right away, as he apparently didn’t know how to get back on his own.

He hasn’t followed us home since, but we still see him everyday on our walk.

Love,

Daddy