Storytelling

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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

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Dear Jack: You are Now a Yellow Belt in Taekwondo!

10 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

You have been faithfully committed to going to your weekly Taekwondo lessons at Red Tiger Martial Arts for nearly 3 months now- and this past week, your hard work paid off!

I was there to see you successfully pass your yellow belt testing; which included being able to do your poomsae (in English, “patterns” or “forms”) of blocks, punches, and kicks- as well as reciting several phrases in Korean, and most excitedly… breaking through a board on your first try!

Taekwondo is definitely your thing. You have discovered the perfect extracurricular activity to challenge you physically and mentally.

I am so proud to be there for each of your lessons- and especially your first belt testing- from white to yellow belt!

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: Your First Paid Job, Pet Sitting

10 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

This month was historic for you, in that it made the first time you truly had a paying job!

When you friend Landon’s family went out of the state for a week, it was up to you go to their house each day to feed their 3 cats- as well as a huge tank full of fish.

You took special care in making sure you could locate all 3 cats before we left their house each day. A few days in, you were able to more predictably figure out where each of the cats were hanging out; whether it was under the couch or on top of a bunk bed.

I am proud of you!

Love,

Daddy