fatherhood

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Dear Holly: Have I Called You “Daddy’s Girl” Yet?

4 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Either I say this all the time or somehow I’ve only implied it so often I figured it didn’t need to say it…

But for the record, I totally claim you as “Daddy’s Girl”.

What helped me realize this is when Grandma got you a shirt that says that on it.

And it wasn’t really even until I took a picture of you wearing the shirt that I processed what it said:

That “Daddy’s Girl” is obviously how I see you.

You and I have a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else in this entire world.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your Pet Lizard’s Military Training

9 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

During your breaks during the school day, as you are currently starting 4th grade from our guest bedroom, you often like to take out your pet pine lizard Serenity.

This week you have been introducing her to your military toys. Specifically, she has taken a liking to the helicopter.

I can’t explain it, but she sincerely seemed to be proud to be piloting the vehicle. As if in her mind, she was part of an important military mission.

And to think, you’ve now had your pet lizard for over a month at this point!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are a Photo Shoot Waiting to Happen!

4 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

We recently drove to Jasper to further celebrate Papa’s retirement.

After our lunch at Top of the Rock, we enjoyed the scenery there, overlooking much of Tennessee.

As always, I had my camera handy. You just happened to be wearing your favorite rainbow skirt.

Because… of course you were!

I’m not for certain you were aware that I was following you around with the camera, because you were just simply being you.

But as you casually pranced around like the little rainbow princess you are, it might as well have been in intentionally photo shoot.

Because either way, you were ready!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You are Now in Pre-K!

4 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

I didn’t realize it until your teacher sent us a picture on Monday, but as of this week, you are now officially in Pre-K.

All these years leading up to this, you have been in preschool.

But now, this is Pre-K; the year designed to specifically prepare you for Kindergarten, which you will be starting a year from now.

It snuck up on me. I’m the last person to ever say, “They grow up so fast.”

I admit though, it feels like you shouldn’t already be old enough to be starting Kindergarten a year from now!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Now Love Music from 1983, Like Me

9 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

As I was getting you ready for bed Tuesday night, you showed me Mommy’s old cell phone with a cracked screen, and said, “Daddy, watch this.”

I immediately knew what it was from the first note of the song: It was the music video for the song “Our House” by Madness.

You were so excited when you learned that I have owned that CD since I was in high school, along with Men at Work; another band whose string of hits you can’t help but love: “Who Can It Be Now?”, “Down Under”, and “Be Good Johnny”.

This week as I’ve worked from the kitchen table (which currently serves as my office), you have been playing a music video playlist from 1983; which happens to be my favorite year of music.

While you play war with your action figures, along barricades you made from Jenga blocks, you have Mommy’s phone propped up playing the soundtrack: “We can dance if we want to…”

Love,

Daddy