Storytelling

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Dear Jack: Pier Runners

15 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

With this being our first cruise, we had no concept of the phrase “pier runners” beforehand… that it is a current phenomenon and trend on social media.

For us, we were simlpy being curious… once we realized that on a cruise ship of 4,500 passengers, there was a decent chance that some of them would be rushing to the port at the last minute; since the cruise does not wait for anyone who is late.

I suggested we go to the balcony on the 8th floor, which would provide the best view. We certainly were not the only ones there for the show.

We cheered on the pier runners as they made it back with just minutes to spare!

I now realize that observing the pier runners is undeniably a fun and fundamental part of going on a cruise!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: How the Outside World Sees Us

10 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

Once our family cruise ended, we were in limbo for half a day, since it was too early to check in to our flights at the Boston airport.

So the solution was to hang out in the lobby of the hotel where Uncle Jason and Aunt Nicci were staying.

It’s all a blur. I know at some point, I fell asleep for a while.

Without me realizing it, Nonna happened to candidly snap a few photos of us hanging out. A few days later when she sent them to me, I thought the depiction of you and me was A) accurate and B) hilarious.

One of the ways I have always showed you affection in public is to pretend like I am squeezing you too hard and you play along like you are trying to escape.

That looks pretty funny out of context. Oh well. That’s just how we are with each other.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your 1st Time Leaving the Country

15 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week, our family visited Halifax, Nova Scotia. That made your first time ever leaving the United States… as well as for your sister.

You definitely enjoyed getting to check out a “foreign country”, even if it barely felt like it qualified.

The first time I left the country, I was 17, so you’re not too far from the age I was.

Now that you have your passport, it makes it even easier to visit other countries…

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Enjoying New Food Options on the Cruise

10 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

I was so proud of you last week while our family went on a cruise, as you tried new foods each day. Your lunch just about every day at our house is a bowl of ramen, so I appreciated your curiosity and open-mindness as we were on the ship.

It may have helped a bit that some of our meals were fancy. I could tell you felt special and sophisticated!

And perhaps a bit more grown up.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Drawings of Puppets

10 years, 1 month.

Dear Holly,

Something you and I certainly have in common is that when I was a kid, I also made creative little doodles in the margins of my school work.

As Mommy was going through your backpack as school ended a few weeks ago, a particular math homework sheet made me laugh out loud.

What was so hilarious about it was how specific your drawing was, as you specifically included the caption: “Boy with orca puppet.”

In hindsight, that was a particular theme in April of this year. I say that because the birthday card you made me was of a unicorn… but the unicorn has an arm sticking out of it.

It’s not enough to draw an animal… there has to be a person’s arm attached to it!

Love,

Daddy