fatherhood

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Dear Jack: Sleeping in Our New Room

14 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

After our family’s Fall Break Vacation to Blue Ridge came to an end, Grandma stayed at our house overnight, before taking her flight back to California.

She slept in your bedroom, which meant you had a choice:

Either sleep on your sister’s top bunk in her bedroom, or…

Sleep on the blow-up mattress in our brand-new office/sun room/studio; which is so new, that construction completed the day before we left for our trip.

You seemed to appreciate it as your makeshift bedroom. Having your PlayStation 5 in there helped.

The room is apparently close to soundproof because I didn’t hear you playing your games at all after I went to bed!

Love,

Daddy

 

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Dear Holly: Riding with You in the Car

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

It is so rare that I am ever not driving when our family is in the car together:

I drive. Mommy is up front in the passenger seat. That’s the set-up.

But this past week while on Fall Break in Blue Ridge, there was one point when Grandma was sitting up front while Mommy drove, so I sat in the back with you.

You laid your head on my shoulder and went in and out of sleep.

During that time, here is what I thought to myself:

“The worries of life have all disappeared. You, in this moment, are the only thing I am thinking about. I am so grateful I have you in my life.”

I love you.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Eat Salad Now?

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

This week Mommy had to go to Nashville for a few days to run an event she planned for her company at work. So that meant it was up to you (and me?) to pack your lunch for school.

One of the things you packed for yourself was a salad… in a special bowl that allows you to easily pack the dressing separately from the lettuce. It’s a very convenient way for you to take salad to school for lunch.

That makes me so happy that, finally, one of my kids chooses to eat salad.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Running You Around to Do Girl Things

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

I am driven in life by challenge. I just don’t do well sitting around with nothing to do.

So I actually was looking forward to this past Saturday, as I would basically be serving as your taxi all day for the fun activities of a 9 year-old girl.

You had been saying for weeks that you and your cousin Darla needed to go to a jump park. So Mommy found one less than an hour away, along with a place to stop for pizza after lunch.

That evening, it just so happened that you and your cousin were both invited to the same birthday party. So we dropped you off there for the rest of the evening.

The next morning, I asked Mommy, “Why do I feel so tired today?”

She reminded me, “It’s probably because you were driving us around all day yesterday!”

And I loved doing it.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: A Buddy Who Looks Up to You

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

After last week’s 3rd Saturday Cruise-In was cancelled at the last minute due to rain, you and your sister both still wanted to get out and do something. We had already planned to see our family friends, the McDaniels, there.

Mommy suggested Cracker Barrel instead, so that’s where we all ended up.

Just like a few weeks ago when we had them over at our house for dinner, their young son Walter buddied up to you.

After we ordered our food, you entertained him by playing him at that peg game they always have there on the table. And after dinner, he apparently taught you how to play checkers?

Your composure around him is so laughably nonchalant, yet still I can tell he thinks you’re really cool to hang out with.

Love,

Daddy