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Dear Holly: The Bigfoot Museum Was Too Scary for You

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

When I took this picture of you last week at the bigfoot museum in Blue Ridge, I thought you were trying to be funny and look like the bigfoot statue you were standing in front of.

But after we returned back home from our Fall Break vacation, I realized you were actually afraid instead!

You explained to me that for the remaining days we stayed in the cabin, you were secretly fearing that a bigfoot would try to break into our cabin.

Fortunately, the only animals we saw out at our cabin in Blue Ridge were plenty of harmless deer.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Sleeping in Our New Room

14 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

After our family’s Fall Break Vacation to Blue Ridge came to an end, Grandma stayed at our house overnight, before taking her flight back to California.

She slept in your bedroom, which meant you had a choice:

Either sleep on your sister’s top bunk in her bedroom, or…

Sleep on the blow-up mattress in our brand-new office/sun room/studio; which is so new, that construction completed the day before we left for our trip.

You seemed to appreciate it as your makeshift bedroom. Having your PlayStation 5 in there helped.

The room is apparently close to soundproof because I didn’t hear you playing your games at all after I went to bed!

Love,

Daddy

 

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Riding with You in the Car

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

It is so rare that I am ever not driving when our family is in the car together:

I drive. Mommy is up front in the passenger seat. That’s the set-up.

But this past week while on Fall Break in Blue Ridge, there was one point when Grandma was sitting up front while Mommy drove, so I sat in the back with you.

You laid your head on my shoulder and went in and out of sleep.

During that time, here is what I thought to myself:

“The worries of life have all disappeared. You, in this moment, are the only thing I am thinking about. I am so grateful I have you in my life.”

I love you.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are Still a Kid

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

As you and Mommy pulled in the driveway from a quick trip to the Dollar General to pick up some poster board, I noticed you had taken a teddy bear from Build-A-Bear with you as a companion.

I wanted to capture that moment, as it served as a reminder:

Despite you growing up, I still currently have a “child” in the house; as your brother is now in high school.

It makes me happy to know you still treat stuffed animals like they are real and that you still get so excited to turn a cardbox box into a car for yourself or for your Warmies.

And that you would spend hours on creating a Lego version of our family and our home.

You are still a kid. I just love that.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Archery Lessons Paid Off

14 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

Once I logged off work on Tuesday, I noticed you outside in the backyard; piecing together scraps of building material. A little bit later, I saw Mommy out there trying to assist you.

After I snapped a few photos of the curious situation through the back window, I ended up getting recruited to try to help. I learned that you got your brand-new $60 remote control jet stuck in the tree, just minutes after unboxing it.

So your solution was to construct a “reaching arm” long enough to attempt to knock it down from the tree limb. Despite your best efforts, you still were a bit short.

I suggested we throw footballs and tennis balls up there at it. After many attempts, my aim was always a solid 6 feet short.

As it began getting dark outside, you decided to try to use your bow and arrow as a last ditch effort. On your 7th shot with arrow… you safely knocked down your new plane.

Just a minutes later, it began raining; which would have ruined your new plane.

So this is confirmation: Your archery lessons we paid for back in 2020 have officially paid off!

 

Love,

Daddy