fatherhood

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Dear Holly: “All I Care About is Peace and Quiet…”

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

This past weekend, Mommy and I had our annual “Night Out in Nashville/Get Our Taxes Done the Next Day at H&R Block” event, while Nonna and Papa drove up from Alabama to stay home with you and your brother.

Mommy and I went to go see Adam Sandler perform at the Bridgesone Arena. It was one of the best days I have ever spent with Mommy in the fifteen years we have been together. I am so grateful that we were able to go do that.

Nonna always does a great job of proactively sending Mommy and me photos of what’s going on while we’re away.

My favorite picture of you was of you with the “Daddy puppet” you made at church last Father’s Day.

The caption read, “All I care about is peace and quiet.”

Of course, that was you doing your impression of me.

I feel honored that you represented me so well!

It has been no secret in our family, that since becoming a certified Enneagram coach back in November 2021, I have been on an ongoing adventure of self-discovery, as well as helping us learn more about each other.

Something I pray every morning is, “Help our family to find ways to show each other love, in the ways that we invididually need it.”

You have overhead me talk about it enough, that you know that I am an Enneagram 6; and that specifically, I constantly crave a sense of social security- which for me, is presented in the form of the people around me having fun in a calm and collaborative way.

This past week, you and your brother also brought more insight to me that I had never realized on my own:

“Mommy gets mad when her work is stressful. But you never get mad at work; no matter how crazy things get. Instead, you get mad when people around you are upset and not happy.”

This is 100% accurate. Being an Enneagram 6, I am the problem-solver, the trouble-shooter, and the stabilizer.

Work only stresses me out when there’s not enough problems for me to solve, because I am wired to provide solutions and calmness to the everyday chaos I am presented with. I truly enjoy what I do for a living.

However, it’s when I’m not working that I am most likely to get stressed out; as I am the one in our family who is constantly trying to make everyone feel happy and connected with each other.

I learn so much from you about myself! Thank you, Holly.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our 1st Father-Daughter Dance at Your School

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

While you and I went to our first Father-Daughter Dance last year at our church, this year made the first time ever that your school has  hosted one.

We were the first there and the last to leave!

The entire time, you and I were up front, right across from the DJ and the strobe lights and the speakers.

You and I are such a perfect match for a Father-Daughter Dance. We never sat down!

I felt bad for some of the dads there, because their daughters didn’t want to dance; so they mainly just sat in the bleachers the whole time.

Not you! Not me!

It was a party in the USA!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are Camouflaged in Our Living Room

6 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

You have this habit of sneaking up on me when I’m in the kitchen. You’re not necessarily trying, but you are so quiet when you come downstairs.

A few days ago, I had looked up from doing the dishes, and you were standing a few feet away, smiling at me. It took a second to realize you were even there!

I said, “Holly, you’re the same colors as our living room! I couldn’t actually see you!”

Since then, you have been playing this to your advantage..

This morning, it was time for me take you outside to the bus stop. I walked right past you.

You were effortlessly hiding underneath the blanket on the rug.

When you realized I assumed you were upstairs instead, you started giggling, and gave yourself away.

If you hadn’t, I would have been looking for you for a while!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Our Routine Morning Walks (Even in the Winter)

6 years, 8 months.

Dear Holly,

This week you brought home a sheet from school, declaring your goals for 2023.

I made it to the list!

One of your goals is to “I want to walk with my dad.”

Throughout this school year, you and I have been making an effort to take a walk around our neighhborhood before school.

Here lately, even thought it’s actually winter right now, the weather has been warm enough for us to go on hour-long walks throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

Granted, for most of that time, I’m pushing you in the cheap stroller we bought for Disney World.

But still, you like the option of walking with me.

It’s not only a time for good conversation between us, but you also enjoy checking out the nearby “tiny libraries” along the way; to see if there are any books you would like to “borrow”.

I’m so happy you like to join me on my morning walks!

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Jack: Your Newest Wall Decor

12 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

I see that you are now displaying one of the Christmas gifts you received from Aunt Dana and Uncle Andrew… a sign advertising farm fresh eggs.

(It just so happens that we are in an egg shortage, too. Yesterday at the grocery store, I had to buy liquid egg whites instead!)

However, your new wall decor has been translated into the language of a 12 year-old boy.

Chicken eggs?

Nope.

Butt nuggets.

So now, right above where you lay your head to rest, is a hilarious new sign advertising “Farm Fresh Butt Nuggets”.

I’d say this is quite the appropriate gift for you!

Love,

Daddy