family

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Dear Jack: A Perfect Picture of You as a Teenager

13 years old.

Dear Jack,

You’re now a couple of weeks into being a teenager and I am now seeing everything you do through that lens.

Last week while we were in Alabama for Thanksgiving, you spent some time with your cousins. For a day or so there, I honestly had no clue where you were nor what you were doing. I just knew you were having a good time and in good hands, with Aunt Dana and Uncle Andrew keeping you entertained.

Aunt Dana sent me a silly photo of you, going cross-eyed over ice cream; with your cool hairstyle and sports-themed clothing.

She provided no explanation nor caption.

I simply responded to her, “That checks out.”

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your 13th Birthday Party with Your Friends

13 years old.

Dear Jack,

You carefully/casually planned your 13th birthday party:

Start out with you and your friends shooting each other with Orbeez guns in our cul-de-sac. Play some basketball in the dead-end next to our house. Get some grub at Culver’s.

And your party played out effortlessy. In fact, Mommy and I laughed at the fact that you didn’t really need our help at all!

Granted, I incorporated a bar mitzvah moment in the middle of it.

You are now 13 years old. It makes me so happy to see you at this age!

I am so proud to be your dad.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Helping Your Brother Play with His Birthday Gifts

7 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

Your favorite part about your brother turning 13 a week ago was him teaching you how to use his gifts; which equates in your mind that he is letting you playing with his gifts.

He very patiently taught you how to drive his new remote control car on the track, to make it jump off the ramp.

After that, he took out one of his new fishing poles and taught you the basics of how to cast it.

I can appreciate his willingness to want to teach you new things; matched with your willingness to learn from him.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Helping Your Sister Collect Seashells in Naples

12 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

During your Fall Break in Naples, we got a chance to visit Tigertail Beach Park.

While Mommy and I just chilled on a beach towel in the sand, your sister gladly followed your lead in scouting out the best seashells.

I love it that the two of you are old enough to spend time together making childhood memories on vacation.

You’re now just a couple of weeks away from your 13th birthday…

So I am definitely aware that when I say “childhood memories”, they are soon to be “teenage memories” for you.

Either way, the memories you make with your sister during this time are definitely still childhood memories for her.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Are You Going to Lose Your First Tooth This Week?

7 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

As Mommy and I sent you off to school this morning, it was with an open expectation that you are quite likely to lose your first tooth today.

You have been saying how you are the only kid in your 2nd grade class who still hasn’t lost one.

Right now, one of your bottom teeth is so wiggly; especially due to the fact that the permanent tooth is pushing through.

Well, if you don’t lose your tooth today at school, you surely will this weekend.

And then, finally, you can have your first interaction with the Tooth Fairy!

 

Love,

Daddy