fatherhood

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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

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Dear Jack: Hot Wheels are Cool… Again?!

12 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

The very first toy I ever remember you seeing at a store and wanting was a Hot Wheels car. We were at a Walmart near our townhome where we used to live and you saw a little maroon sports car.

“You want that car, man? I’ll get that car for you…”

That was a long time ago. And though over the years, dozens of Hot Wheels cars have come and left our house… they haven’t all gone.

And more specifically, there’s still more coming in- but for different reasons now, compared to when you were a little boy.

Now, you are using Hot Wheels as models for your art class projects. You love drawing and even designing cars.

You have also purchased model car kits and have even started replacing the body on some remote control cars with cardboard shells you’ve created.

It’s no surprise that your sister serves as your partner in testing out your new Hot Wheels cars on your drag race track that you bring downstairs from the bonus room.

She’s even spent some of her own money to buy some Hot Wheels for herself.

Hot Wheels are back… again!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Tastes Like Life Cereal?

6 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

Last Saturday morning while our family was hanging out at The Factory in Franklin, you and your brother wanted to get your designated treat at Urban Sips Sweets; a place your brother always likes to get shaved ice at.

Out of the dozens of flavors they have on the menu, you surprisingly chose “sour apple” for yours.

I had my reservations that you would even like it; especially when they had other options that seems more likely for a 6 year-old girl, like “cotton candy” or “birthday cake”.

But you confirmed that you were pleased with your choice of “sour apple”.

You told me, “Daddy, it tastes like Life cereal.”

I’m not sure how, but I’m just glad you liked it!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 12th Birthday

12 years old!

Dear Jack,

It was exactly 12 years ago today that I officially became a parent for the first time, when you were born.

My immediate thought this morning was, “I have a 12 year-old son… does that make me old?”

Years from now, when I think back to you turning 12, I am going to remember how badly you wanted a dog.

And as much as I wish I had it in me to let you get a dog, I also know that our family is not at a place in life where we are ready for that kind of responsibility.

(It would ultimately be my dog; as I’m the only one in our house who is virtually always home.)

I know I disappointed you in that decision, but without even trying, I quickly gained your favor again.

For the past 2 and a half years, ever since the Covid Shutdown, I have been working with you to use a bow and arrow, as well as your Red Ryder BB gun. You have remained passionate and committed to improving your marksmanship.

When you mentioned that you would like a BB pistol, let’s just say it was undeniable that idea would have been immediately “shot down”, had I not vouched for you.

You have already been extremely careful and responsible in regards to handling your bow and your BB gun rifle ever since I began training you.

So while getting a dog would have been too much responsibility, you gladly settled for a slightly more powerful version of your Red Ryder BB gun.

To me, your new BB pistol is the perfect symbolic gift for your on your 12th birthday, the final year bridging childhood and your teen years.

I am so proud of you. I always am.

And as much as it has been an honor to raise you so far, I very much look forward to helping you grow into a man in the years coming up ahead.

 

Love,

Daddy