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Dear Jack: Moving Day

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Friday, your best friend Landon showed up to say goodbye, as his dad and I loaded up the moving truck for our move from Tennessee to Alabama.

I am fully confident the two of you will not grow distant after our move. After all, his entire family drove to Alabama for my 40th birthday party, back when we only had known his parents for a week or so.

Though it happened too quickly for me to capture it on camera last Friday, I did witness what I perceive as the first and only time the two of you hugged.

Because, you know… it’s a guy thing. Gotta play things cool.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Last Day as a 2nd Grader in Tennessee

8 years old.

Dear Holly,

Today I walked you home from 2nd grade for the final time. Not only was this your last day of the school year, but it was also your last day of school in Tennessee.

This weekend, our family is officially moving to Alabama!

Mommy and I will be picking up the moving truck tomorrow.

Despite all the boxes we’ve already moved to our new house in Alabama, we still have a living room full of more to move out… plus all of our furniture!

You were proud to get your new summer shoes in the mail this week: Pink slip-on Chuck Taylors.

New shoes, new house, new school, new state…

Your life is about to change in a big and exciting way.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Wrapping Up Your 1st Season of Baseball

13 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

We’re now down to the last few games of your very first season you have ever played on a baseball team. The way I see it, this has served as the perfect way for you to prepare and practice for try-outs next school year when you officially transfer to your new school in Alabama.

You have proven to be independently and intrinsically motivated to continue to learn how to approve your skills.

In addition to your dedication, I have also seen your frustration. It has possibly been more of a learning curve than you expected.

But you are still focused on playing baseball on a team once we move.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: I Thought You Were a Teddy Bear

8 years old.

Dear Holly,

It was a morning like every other. I had just got back from the gym and was headed to the closet in my bedroom to change clothes.

You typically are there in my bed when I get home in the mornings, as you are usually watching some silly kid’s show on your tablet.

But on this morning, as I got closer to the bed, my initial perspective was that were you smiling at me while all bundled up underneath the covers, instead.

It took me a couple of seconds, but I finally realized:

“Oh, Holly’s playing a trick on me. That’s her teddy bear.”

Conclusion: You smile just like your teddy bear.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: A Little Girl’s Bedroom Inside of a Little Girl’s Bedroom

8 years.

Dear Holly,

Your big birthday gift from Mommy and me was an Our Generation bedroom for your dolls; which you specifically asked for.

I laughed out loud the first morning I walked into your bedroom after you set it up and broke it in, by having your dolls arrange some of their accessories in it.

The thought is hilarious, absurd, and yet completely logical for an 8 year-old girl:

That a little girl’s bedroom is now inside of a little girl’s bedroom.

When I asked you how old your newest Our Generation doll Jenny is, you responded, “She’s 8, like me.”

So it is confirmed: In my house, I have an 8 year-old girl with a bedroom that hosts its own bedroom for another 8 year-old girl.

It is quite the frame-in-frame situation.

Love,

Daddy