family

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Dear Jack: Earning Money for Your New E-bike

15 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

For the past month and a half now, you have consisently been working very hard at your part-time jobs. It has been normal language at our house for you to talk about “going to work” after school several days each week.

Between Aunt Dana and Uncle Andrew, Nonna and Papa, and even Mommy and me, we have all been hiring you to do the dirty work that we don’t want to do around the house. While you are being paid generously for you labor, it’s still much cheaper to pay you than to hire a professional.

Your other job would be considered as a “digital creator”… as I handed over my 2nd YouTube channel to you to rebrand as your own. YouTube recently changed their policy and raised the bar on what it counts as enough views to be monetized. I didn’t want to have to fool with it anymore, as my main YouTube channel was not affected by the change.

Just about every night after the rest of us go to bed, you stay up using AI to create new videos for the YouTube channel. I have agreed to let you have all the earnings from it once it becomes monetized again. So this could be a true investment for you once it literally begins paying off.

Of course, you are specifically inspired to earn money. It’s apparently time to upgrade your dirtbike…

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Celebrating My Birthday

9 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

With our birthday just four days apart, it ultimately ends up feeling like an entire week of celebrating both of our birthdays at the same time. As I began receiving gifts in the mail for my birthday, so did you.

Leading up to my 45th birthday on Monday, you had been telling me how hard you were working on my gift.

I am so proud of the drawing you made for… featuring me as a unicorn.

You know how much I always appreciate you taking the time to come up with creative drawings for me. It was perfect!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Hiking Up and Down Amicalola Falls

9 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

While on Spring Break last month, we as a family decided to take on the challenge of hiking up and back down Amicalola Falls.

I was prepared to carry you on my back at some point, as it was definitely not a leisurely hike. Or I at least expected you to get too tired, or hungry, or thirsty.

And then we would all have to take a break.

But, no.

You did just fine. You’re turning 10 years old in a week.

I love it that you are old enough now where we can have challenging, yet fun adventures like this as a family- and you can certainly hold your own!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Actually Liked Supercross

9 years, 11 years. 

Dear Holly,

It never crossed my mind that you would actually enjoy going to the Supercross off-road motorcyle race our family went to last weekend in Birmingham.

I assumed it was just you having to go along with it because your brother is so into it. But to my surprise, you specifically told Mommy and I that you liked being there.

So I guess that helps, knowing our family will start going to Supercross more regularly moving forward.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Putting on Your New Tires and Rims

15 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

With your 16th birthday coming up this November, now is the time to get your Mazda Miata ready for the road. So you and Papa spent this past Saturday not only cleaning up your car, but also taking off the original tires and rims; replacing them with the new set you bought in Atlanta the weekend before, while we bought our new Jeep.

Oh, yeah… you still need to go take your Driver’s Permit, before you can even get your Driver’s License. That’s on the agenda for next week…

 

Love,

Daddy