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Dear Holly: Spending Time with You is One of My Hobbies

10 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

Something I was thinking about this week is that one of my official hobbies is simply spending time with you. If I were to make a pie chart of how I spend my waking hours each day, a consistent slice each day is making the most of the moment with you.

An unspoken rule and understanding we have is that I am responsible for bringing your dolls and animals to life.

They have distinct voices and personalities; like the way your babies Gracie and Gabby try to keep you up each night right as I am tucking you into bed:

“Mommy, we need a bedtime snack! Time for some ice cream! Babies love it!”

So yes, it’s fair to say that spending quality time with you, often in the name of entertaining you with your toys, is officially one of my hobbies.

Love,

Daddy

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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

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Dear Jack: Being the Official Entertainment of Sleepovers

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

You have made it clear that I have a reputation, as a dad, of being extremely strict when it comes to bedtime routine at our house. (That’s something I am very proud of!)

I’m all about having fun and experiencing adventure during daylight hours, but once the sun starts going down… it’s time to settle down.

But, hey… when I’m not there with you, I don’t care what time you go to sleep or how rowdy you get! Not my problem.

And that is exactly how I felt as Nonna sent me photos of you, your sister, and your cousin at their house while Mommy and I went away for a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago.

I was happy for all of you! You definitely served as the entertainment, making the sleepover even more exciting for your sister and cousin.

So much for setting down that night.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Buying Your First Car

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

This week you turned 14 and a half years old. And, this week, you bought your first car!

Your dream car for so long now has been “an early 90s Mazda Miata”.

That was exactly what was available, thanks to an estate sale this week.

Mommy and I had money set aside for when this time would come. We got an amazing deal on it. Not to mention, it only has 75,000 miles for a 1991!

We always pictured you and Papa working on your first car together in his shop. It makes it even better that we actually live here now.

I am so happy for you and I am so proud to have a front row seat for this momentous occasion!

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Holly: Saturday Morning Flowers

8 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

Last Saturday morning, right after we returned from our family vacation to Florida for Spring Break, Mommy found out about a place she wanted to go where “you pick your own flowers”.

No further questions were necessary. All I knew is that I would be driving my wife and daughter there to Moonflower Farms.

You and Mommy had so much fun picking flowers, while I had fun taking pictures of you both.

There were also local vendors with booths set up all around us. At one point, I heard Mommy tell you, “Ask Daddy. See what he says.”

You had found a handcrafted bracelet with a turtle on it that you wanted.

Like I was going to say no…

Love,

Daddy