fatherhood

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Dear Holly: Getting Yourself Ready for School

9 years, 7 months.

Dear Holly,

I’d say around once a month, Mommy has to drive to Nashville for a day or two for work. When that happens, as is the case this week, I am always amazed at your miraculous ability to care for yourself.

Completely on your own initiative without me ever saying a word, you confidently work your way around the kitchen, putting together your lunch and snack for school.

You get dressed and even brush your hair… as if I’m not even in the room.

Ah, but that will all change once Mommy is back on Friday.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: The Patch for Your Sock

15 years old.

Dear Jack,

Aunt Dana sent me this photo a couple of weeks ago, which was taken when she picked you and your sister up from school one day.

She asked me, “Did Jack tell you about the patch he made for his sock?”

I hadn’t noticed in the photo, but the heel of the sock was actually a circular piece of notebook paper you apparently crafted to cover the hole in your sock.

Even beyond the hole, there was some serious wear and tear.

Something tells me you’ll be getting new socks for Christmas… or at least more notebook paper.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 15th Birthday

15 years old!

Dear Jack,

It’s official. You’re 15 years old today. When we asked you what you wanted to do to celebrate, you chose for our family of 4 to spend a quick day trip to Nashville, hitting up all your favorite spots.

As for your “big” birthday gift, you carefully researched the best gaming chair for your “PlayStation 5 station” in your room. The chair is basically an actual car chair and is even equipped with a massager for your back.

Though I will say, you’re still not too old for Lego blocks, as you were very excited today to build the F1 racecar we got you, which you are now proudly displaying in your room.

Everytime it’s your birthday, I will always think back to that terrifying moment I held my firstborn child for the first time, as I thought, “How am I supposed to know what to do with this brand-new human life?”

Fifteen years in… So far, so good.

I love you, Jack.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are Now 9 and a Half Years Old

9 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

This past week you turned 9 and a half years old. I think about how you’ll be double digits in less than 6 months.

That thought just makes me appreciate you still being a child that much more.

You wanted to go to the County Fair last week. It was so crowded. But you didn’t really care about the rides. Instead, you just wanted to win a Peppa Pig you saw as a prize.

And you did!

It made me so happy to see you play the game and win. You’ve been carrying Peppa Pig with you everywhere since then.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Still Catching Crawdads

14 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

As you’re now less than a few weeks away from your 15th birthday, I love to see how you still have that sense of adventure and exploration you always had as a little boy.

While we were recently on Fall Break in Blue Ridge, you were so excited when you discovered evidence of crawdads in the creek there in front of our cabin.

You tracked them down and were able to pull one out of the water.

It makes me so happy that you still want to catch crawdads whenever you get the chance.

Love,

Daddy