I always thought adulthood would be great: no homework, staying up late, and cookies whenever I want. Ahhh…that special moment when perception meets reality. You know the one. There’s that first summer with no vacation. There’s that first moment when you humbly head to bed before 9 p.m. Or there’s…
Category: Family
My Struggle with Cynicism
A few years ago, I was struggling with my place in life, despite the fact that everything seemed to be going great. Having entered my thirties and gotten married, my wife and I were filled with joy when our first son was born a year later. Combine this with…
It’s Time to Stop Complaining about Our Kids on Social Media
A couple weeks ago, my wife and I joined her family for a trip to Hawaii. I say “trip” because anyone who has ever traveled with a 4-year-old and 20-month-old knows it’s definitely not a “vacation.” But our boys did great on the 7-hour flight, and between the pools, beach…
When Parenthood Has You Feeling Like a Fool
I never thought this parenthood thing was going to be easy. Heck, when my first child was born, I drove home from the hospital under the speed limit (for the first time in my life). I chalk it up to “needing time to process.” But I might have been pondering…
What a Garbage Man Taught Me About Joy
I have 2 boys: Kellen, who is 4, and Nolan, who is 18 months. Each week, both of these boys look forward to one thing. Sunday night football? Nope. Saturday morning yard work? I wish. Our weekly visit to Chick-fil-A? I probably get more excited about it than they do…
How I Knew She Was the One
I’ve always been a serial monogamist. Actually, you know what, let’s back it up. In high school, my dating life was basically non-existent. I had better relationships with text books and basketballs than I did with any girl I would come across. But somehow, when young adulthood rolled around…
So This Is Christmas
I still remember my favorite Christmas as a kid. School was out for another ten days, and Christmas Eve had finally arrived. With cookies set out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, my brother and I headed for bed. A few hours later and the crack of dawn was…
Is Anything Special Anymore?
There was something special about being a young boy at Christmas time. Anxious anticipation of what Santa was going to bring me…check. Two weeks off from school to drive my parents crazy…check. Hanging my favorite Snoopy ornament on our Christmas tree in between sips of eggnog…check. But in case that…
5 Ways to Thrive This Holiday Season
Given the current climate of our country, the holidays couldn’t come at a better time. I’m certainly looking forward to them, but maybe that’s because I haven’t even dealt with the frustration of a good, old-fashioned political debate on Facebook. It’s been a challenging year. We’ve seen a heated presidential…
Why I Stopped Watching So Much Football
Around 5 years ago, I retired from fantasy football. I wish I could say it was because of some big revelation about being a better husband and father, but I was newly married, and my kids weren’t born yet. Quite simply I got tired. I was in multiple fantasy football…