I don’t really do New Year’s Resolutions. I’m more of the mindset that you don’t need a brand new year to make a resolution. You want to change something? Well, change it. No need to wait until January 1. But this year I will make an exception.
About a week before Christmas a dear friend of mine lost her step-dad to cancer. I didn’t know him well, but his passing still resonated through me. Because I knew what a kind and loving man he was. I knew that he was the kind of father to my friend that she so desperately needed. And I knew his absence in her life was something I couldn’t come close to understanding.
When I went to visit my friend over the holidays we talked a lot about her step-dad, his final days, what a good man he was, and the special bond they shared. But one thing sticks out. And it’s the entire reason for my one and only resolution for 2014. My friend and her step-dad went out on a date every week. Every week for 20 years they put aside everything else and spent quality time with one another. Even when he was in the hospital, their father-daughter dates continued, right until the end. And she told me, “Dads, take your daughters out on dates. Moms, take your sons out on dates. Take your kids out on dates.”
And that’s my resolution. Every week this year I’m taking Wyatt on a date. Just me and him. I don’t care if he won’t remember it. I want to show him now that he’s worth my undivided attention. I want him to learn early that even though life is hectic and schedules are packed, I will always make time for him.
Thank you Terry for being the dad you were to my friend. And thank you for inspiring me to pass that on to my own children. You will be missed.
I love this. I love how he was with her. I love this idea. I love you for writing this. He will be greatly missed and I hope you hugged her for me as well. You are an amazing friend to pass on his legacy to us all.
What a beautiful resolution. Your son will definitely feel the love your spending on him. I’m so sorry for your friend’s loss.
Susannah recently posted…Servant of the Lord {Faith and Fellowship Linkup}
I couldn’t love this more. I think that’s the best resolution a parent could make and I think I’m gonna steal this one, too. I’m not big on resolutions either but I am for making more time for just me and my girl 🙂
What a wonderful resolution! It really is the only resolution you need.
Ginny Marie recently posted…A Very Merry Waterpark-y Christmas
I think that’s awesome and you may be surprised when he remembers more than you think possible.
Deb recently posted…Sayonara 2013
How sweet. This is a great idea. I would love to do this with my dad if we lived closer, but I can try this with Mason.
Miranda recently posted…A day late . . .
What a wonderful plan. One on one time with your child is just magical. Always.
Mo at Mocadeaux recently posted…What A Year It Has Been
This is a great idea and I can’t wait to hear more about the things that you do. My husband and 2 year old daughter have a pool date every Sunday and I am not sure which one of them looks forward to it more!
So somehow I missed this when you posted it…but I just wanted to let you know that I love it! I’ve been trying to be more intentional with my time with Clay lately. I don’t want him to remember me as the mom who was always too busy cleaning or doing something else to play with him. If that means we have pbjs in our pjs on the kitchen floor one night instead of a well rounded meal, so be it!