Dear Holly: The Russell Dickerson Concert for Your Birthday

10 years old!

Dear Holly,

For your main birthday gift from Mommy and me this year, it was actually something we planned and purchased more than six months before your actual birthday…

We drove down to St. Augustine, Florida to see Russell Dickerson in concert! As Mommy was buying a t-shirt at the merch table, I mentioned we were there for your birthday.

The guy then went back to the VIP area and grabbed a Russell Dickerson stuffie to give you, that wasn’t even something that people could even buy! It was only for people who purchased the VIP ticket package… and you!

It was a very special birthday treat to go to the concert. And I didn’t mind the drive, since I got to drive us there in my new Jeep!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your 10th Birthday Party

10 years old!

Dear Holly,

When we look back years from now to your 10th birthday, “Warmies” will undeniably be one of the first things to come to mind. While you received several new Warmies as gifts for your birthday this year, the one that stood out to me most was the Barbie.

You told me, “Look, Daddy… it’s me as a Warmie!”…

It’s a common understanding among 4th grade girls that with you now officially owning over 30 Warmies, you have set the record for owning the most!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: The Piñata at Your Sister’s Birthday Party

15 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

Your sister specifically wanted there to be an avocado piñata for her 10th birthday party. Mommy recruited you and Papa to not only hang it out on the tree in our backyard, but also to man the station while we took turns hitting it.

And of course, as I predicted, once it finally got burst open, you took it upon yourself to smash the remains of it to smithereens!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter on Her 10th Birthday

10 years old tomorrow!

Dear Holly,

Normally I would write you a letter on your actual birthday, but this year is different and special… because Mommy and I are taking you to go see Russell Dickerson in concert on your actual 10th birthday tomorrow.

And I’m not exaggerating when I say that Mommy literally bought the tickets for this 6 months ago! So yeah… the two of you have been looking forward to this and talking about this for a long time.

It will be my honor to serve as your chauffeur for the event.

Oh, right… this is your “double digits” birthday. This is officially you entering the “tween” years.

But we won’t talk about that!

I love you, Holly!

Love,

Daddy

Turning 45: Unserious Everything and Embrace Absurdity

Today is my 45th birthday. Something particularly interesting is that the Millennial generation begins with people born in 1981; which makes me the very oldest of the Millennials.

Recently I was watching a business video about different age demographics. The guy in the video casually pointed out, “Millennials are getting old.”

Oh… I’m “old” now? But… umm… I don’t act mature enough to be “old”.

Certainly, when people find out I am in my mid 40s (as of today, officially closer to 50 than I am 40 at this point), no one responds with, “Oh, well you’re still a baby!”… like the way they would do when I was still in my 30s.

And that’s okay. I’ve accepted my role as “the designated adult”, as occasion calls for it.

I feel like I am pretty good at just minding my own business. The problem is, theatrical situations always seem to find me.

Even just looking back these past few months…

By simply participating in the Christmas parade, I was unknowingly auditioning for the upcoming Children’s Advocacy Center Play.

By simply joining a group of friends to watch an amateur wrestling event, I found myself involved in a “confrontation” with one of the wrestlers.

By simply going on my morning run and mentioning to a friend that I was taking my daughter to the Easter Egg Hunt at the church, I ended up playing the Easter Bunny.

Maybe what I am trying to say is that the older I get, I am naturally accepting my role to “unserious everything” and embrace the absurdity.

I won’t settle for my life feeling like the movie Groundhog Day. I just have to go and make things weird.

This is 45.