Storytelling

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Dear Holly: Your Very Thoughtful Cards for Your Brother on His Birthday

5 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

For weeks now, leading up to your brother’s 11th birthday this week, you have been working diligently on a series of special birthday cards for him.

You had been storing them on your dresser, for the big day!

Finally, you got to see his reaction when you gave him all 5 of them.

One stood out though- I think it was everyone’s favorite:

“Dear Jack, I hope you have ever seen a caterpillar.”

Then you drew a picture of the two of you underneath.

It was so thoughtful and caring for you to spend so much time on making those birthday cards for your brother.

I will never forget it.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 11th Birthday

11 years old!

Dear Jack,

Today you turn eleven years old. This is an exciting time in your life.

Turning 11 in the 5th grade, a week before Thanksgiving, you now made it part of your identity to be a Taekwondo kid! You are so proud of your accomplishments so far, as you’ve recently earned your yellow belt. That is a big part of you turning eleven.

And then this weekend, to our surprise, you decided you wanted to be baptized- so you were!

I don’t see this as a forgettable year for you. I see it as a big, memorable year!

Happy 11th Birthday! I love you, Jack!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Maybe I’m Not Ready for You to Be Done with Plastic Toys, After All

10 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

This is my last letter I will write you while you’re still 10 years old. Your 11th birthday is now only a few days away!

I’ve kept it no secret from myself; how it’s not easy watching you grow up so fast, especially as you are now more of a pre-teen than a little boy.

As birthday gifts have been showing up in the mail, and as I’ve watched how you’ve used your gift cards from your birthday party, it surprised me a bit to see you choose… plastic toys.

I was thinking we were past that stage in your life.

Last year it was all about Fortnite. This year, it’s Roblox.

Yeah, I know. You’re just collecting more plastic that you’ll ultimately forget about a year from now.

But as for now, it’s proof that there’s still a little bit more “little boy” still in there.

I need there to be.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Ability to Make Friends Instantly

5 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

In my mind, you are a quiet little girl, outside of our home. That’s how I imagine you.

But maybe not…

Because you have this habit of bonding very quickly with other girls your age.

Like this week when we were taking your brother to Taekwondo; as we were opening the door, I heard someone shout out, “Holly!”

She ran over to you and hugged you; then she touched your hair, saying, “Look Holly, we have the same color hair!” And the two of you giggled like besties.

Turns out; she’s in your P.E. class at school.

I remember this happening after your 1st first ballet class, as well. I heard, “Holly! Give me a hug before you go!”

When we got back to the Jeep, I asked where you knew that girl from.

“From dance class. I just met her today, Daddy.”

I have a feeling this will be normal for you: The ability to immediately befriend other little girls your age.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Last Minute Halloween Costume Change

5 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

It made perfect sense that you would be a unicorn for Halloween this year; because when you’re a little girl in Kindergarten… of course you would be!

And your costume was perfectly cute on you.

However, the day before Halloween, you were shopping with Mommy, and found a sleep mask to go over your eyes; like your brother uses at night.

That sleep mask evolved into you taking it upon yourself to invent a creative costume for this year:

“Sleeping Bunny”.

So when we went trick-or-treating and people would ask, “And what are you, Sweetie?”

Just about every time you were asked, you had to correct them:

“Sleeping Bunny.”

Not Sleeping Beauty.

They all loved your costume!

Love,

Daddy