family

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Dear Holly: Treasuring Your Brothers Hand-Me-Downs

7 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

With our family’s upcoming move in a couple of months, the living room has become the official holding space for boxes needing to be hauled for each next trip to Alabama. This strategy has at this point already prevented us from eventually having to rent the largest U-Haul truck for our final moving trip.

As we are constantly in the process of packing up for the move, we are also determining which of our belongings won’t be making the move with us.

Last week I was on my way out the door for the gym one morning and I saw you hugging a stuffed animal I had never seen you with before.

“Holly, is that a new stuffed animal? Where did you get that?”

You were so proud to tell me, “Jack gave it to me!”

Your brother’s hand-me-downs are your treasures.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Spinning on the Simply Fit Board

7 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

Several years ago, after seeing the Simply Fit Board pitched on an episode of Shark Tank, I ordered one online. Honestly, I didn’t realize we still even had it here in the house. I’m pretty sure it’s been lodged under a couch for half of your life.

Not anymore.

You brought it downstairs about a month ago, where it remains in the middle of our living room floor.

It is your tradition each evening, as dinner is being prepared, that you spin as fast as you can on it. You spin so fast, I can’t look at you for more than two seconds before I get dizzy.

As for you, you apparently have a high tolerance for dizziness!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Making Pizza with Mommy

7 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

When subtle yet special family moments show up, I am always prepared with my actual camera to freeze that moment in time for my collection. (Yes, I still use an actual digital camera instead of my phone.)

Last Saturday, I sent myself on a mission to buy groceries while we were snowed in. Good thing I have my Jeep!

When I got home, I saw that you and Mommy were making homemade pizza for dinner… and having so much fun doing it.

It made me feel so good to see the two of you together in that Mommy/daughter moment. I don’t take these times in life for granted. I celebrate them!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You’re Not Too Old to Want to Play in the Snow with Your Family

13 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

At age 13, I perceive you as definitely old enough to go out and play in the snow by yourself; as the weather has caused school to be cancelled all this week.

But instead, you choose to spend your daily outside hour in the 13 degree weather with your family.

You helped push Mommy and your sister in the sled in our cul-de-sac, for the 15 minutes they spent in the snow this week.

As for the other days, I have pushed you down the much bigger hill in the sled, as well as taken you out on the frozen pond for, you know… the fun/dangerous activities!

You’re not a little boy anymore, but I definitely recognize the moments that remind me of those years.

During our time sledding at one point this week, a middle-aged man walked by, recognizing the father/son activity we were enjoying and simply said to me, “Good memories.”

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Santa is Still Real, Even If There are So Many of Them

7 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

We have visited Santa twice so far this December: First, he happened to be randomly waiting for us at a burger restaurant, around the corner from our house. Then we saw him again last weekend for our traditional Christmas drive to Bell Buckle.

You openly acknowledge that they were two different Santas:

“I liked the Santa better that was in the sleigh and who let me give him my Christmas list, because I think that Santa will bring me the gifts I asked for.”

For me as your father, I am glad you are still young enough to keep believing in Santa; while not too deeply questioning the logic of why there are so many different Santas out there…

Love,

Daddy