Alabama

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Dear Jack: It Finally Felt Like Christmas

14 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

For the past several weeks, I have had this habit of saying out loud, “I feel like this is the first time since being a parent that I am no longer the Grinch at Christmas. This is the year my heart finally grew three times larger.”

No need to pack the car full of all the Christmas gifts and drive three hours, only to not be able to sleep in our own house.

As for you though, that was apparently a big part of the feeling of Christmas for you. That was the only version of Christmas you ever knew: Going to Nonna and Papa’s house.

So for our first Christmas as a family here in Alabama, after we opened gifts here as a family of four at our own house, we drove up to Nonna and Papa’s house to spend the rest of the day with the rest of the family.

At the end of the day, as we were driving back home, you finally confirmed: “Now, it finally felt like Christmas.”

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Apple Picking Adventure

8 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Since moving to Alabama, we as a family have adopted a collective theme of “making life meaning and beautiful”. It’s all part of our new ability to “live a quiet life”.

Now that our Saturdays are no longer filled with house renovations, we get to go have fun as a family; participating in meaningful and beautiful activities together.

We recently visited Little River Orchard in Mentone; where we picked apples. It was a new experience for you!

Then, that afternoon in preparation for guests coming over to our house for dinner, you and your cousin Darla helped Mommy make an “apple crisp” for dessert.

We live a a meaningful and beautiful life… because we are making it meaningful and beautiful.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You’re Around Here Somewhere

8 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

With Aunt Dana and Uncle Andrew living on the same street as us, it is now a common occurrence that I don’t necessarily know where you are sometimes, I just know that you are A) being well taken care of and B) having fun, whatever you are doing.

Earlier this week while Mommy and I were still working, Aunt Dana started sending me pictures of you and your cousin Darla at what I now know is called “Cook With a Book”.

Only just now as I am writing this, I learned it was hosted by the local high school FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America); collaborated with the local elementary school library.

You had a great time… even if I didn’t know where you were or what you were doing at the time.

And that’s one of the many reasons I love living here in Alabama.

There’s always something unique going on- and we never have to pay to park!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: It All Worked Out to Move Here to Alabama

13 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you and Mommy to one of my favorite movies of all time: Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks.

The opening and final scene, showing his character at a literal crossroads, has always been powerful for me.

Looking back on our family’s version of 2024, I can see how that scene is specifically relevant for us.

I will never forget the moment we were driving back from Alabama to Tennessee during the Summer of 2023 and out of nowhere, you blurted out in the car:

“I wish we just lived in Alabama.”

Here we are, a little over a year later and your wish came true.

To think, as a family, we left behind our former lives in Tennessee. And now, it seems so long ago when that was our life.

We’ve only lived in Alabama for a little over 100 days, but it is almost laughable how there is absolutely zero hesitation about our move.

It was our family’s decision, based on what you said. Had you not said it, I don’t know that we’d be here in Alabama now.

This week, I had the confirming thought: “It worked.”

We left our lives behind in Tennessee and started over. Specifically, you and your sister left behind your school and friends.

And everything is fine. It worked out.

In fact, we’re all undeniably happier here. So I suppose we have you to thank for blurting that out in the car last summer:

“I wish we just lived in Alabama.”

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your 1st Football Game This Week

13 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

There is a saying: “Well that escalated quickly!”

That is exactly how I feel about you playing football: Just a couple of weeks ago, you started a brand-new school in Alabama; to which you were quickly recruited by your new friends and the coach.

Last week, I started picking you up everyday after school from football practice.

And now, this week, you played your first game?!

Uh… what?

That’s you- number 37 out there.

I would have never guessed this. But the reality is…

You play football and you love it.

This is totally your thing. Out of nowhere, with no previous consideration before moving to Alabama.

But this is you now.

Love,

Daddy