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Dear Holly: I Wish I Could Be Loveable Like You All the Time

8 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

You get to just be loveable all the time. I totally appreciate that about you.

It’s deniable. Everyone who meets you immediately loves you and finds you adorable.

You’re like a sweet little kitten. That’s your personality.

As for me, I am a grown man with so many responsibilities to fulfill and expectations to meet. I can’t just be nice and get away with it. People all around me depend on me to be more than just likeable.

Specifically, most of my roles in life require me to be the designated assertive person in the room.

It’s rare in my daily routine that I can just shut off that part of me.

When I am able to, it’s usually because I am spending time with you.

You always let me let my guard down. You make it okay.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Went to the County Fair Here in Alabama

8 and a half years old.

Dear Holly,

Saturday morning, I received a message from Aunt Dana giving me a rundown of the expenses of the County Fair she had experienced the night before. Originally, our whole family was going to make a day out of it. But after her message, it quickly turned into, “Thank you for taking Holly to the fair so I don’t have to go!”

Lucky for you, you have an aunt you lives a few houses down from us who is faithful to assume the role of “Saturday morning hero” and take you to the fair with your cousins.

I am so happy for you that you had such a great time there! And I am almost just as happy that I didn’t have to go.

The pictures look like you had plenty of fun for the both of us though.

 

Love,

Daddy

 

 

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Dear Jack: You Have a Football Mom

13 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

Well, it’s evident you have fans, as an 8th grade football player in a new school.

Not only do you have family members willing to drive an hour away during the tale end of business hours to watch you play, but you also have a mom who spent time carefully ordering several football shirts to wear to your games.

She’s got your name and number on her shirts, themed with your team colors.

You may not be able to realize it now, as you’re living it in real time, but you are surrounded by family and friends who keep showing up for you.

And we are proud of you.

It’s undeniable that playing football is bringing out a new sense of confidence in you.

You show no fear out on the field and you are always eager to be a part of the action.

This is clearly such an important part of your development as a teenage boy. I love being able to see this play out.

 

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