The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” (and was also written months ago…) I hope I’m not the only one who doesn’t recall Father’s Day having much of an impact on my childhood. It’s hard as a kid to get excited about someone else’s special day, watch them open presents that aren’t toys to play with and sit through three meals of not-your-favorite foods. Honestly, I still don’t get all that excited for a made up…
Late last week, my phone lit up with a late night text message from my mother with the usual laundry list of questions. “How was your weekend? Do you and Mack have any thought of coming to the lake for a day? How was Emily’s ultrasound?…” I admit, I am selfish with my nights, and I don’t always answer texts or calls after 9:30 p.m. Even from my mother. But the last two weeks have been so vastly different from…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” For the regular readers of this column (hi Mom and Dad!), the following announcement will come as no surprise by the time this edition of “The Good Life” hits the stands. Nevertheless, I have news: Macklin is getting a baby brother sometime mid-summer. My apologies to the relatives and in-laws who are just now finding out… I only had so much patience for actual phone calls. That’s right, folks,…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” It was about 8:45 a.m. when Macklin rolled over to ask “Can I have another one?” Still in our pajamas, neither he nor I had gotten out of bed yet. Mom was out of town for a couple of days on a work trip, so of course we took advantage and had ourselves a little sleepover in the big bed. We had fallen asleep watching cartoons and then picked…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” Almost ten years to the day after my wife, Emily, and I moved into our first home together, we packed up all our earthly possessions and moved south… approximately 30 blocks. There were four of us to move this time around, including our son, Macklin, and our dog, Lucy. After ten years of accumulation, and now being fully moved into a home roughly twice the size, it’s amazing how…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” It’s 8:02 p.m. Macklin’s mama and I exchange knowing looks, reluctantly nod our heads and announce to our audience of one that it’s time for bed. Our nightly dance is about to begin, and we wonder, as we start the chase, what new moves may be introduced into the well-worn routine. Some nights, with naive optimism, I think back to the days when Mack was an infant and wanted…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” Every kid has their favorite toy. Be it a blankie, a binkie, a stuffed animal or, in my case, your right thumb, these favorite items get imprinted early in life and often grow into an extra appendage that dangles squarely out the front of said kid’s mouth. That’s where you’d find my thumb most hours of the day, and where you’ll find Macklin’s go-to stink bomb of a favorite,…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” Walking into the house on an early Saturday afternoon from a routinely wonderful trip to Fleet Farm, I was greeted by the cheerful sounds of a humming KitchenAid stand mixer and a giddy three-year-old sous chef. The sun had finally broken through that weekend — the weekend after the snowpocalypse that wasn’t — and everyone was happy to feel the first real signs of spring. We had spent the…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” I’m as indifferent as it gets towards Jeff Foxworthy, except on one account: the guy has managed to turn a single joke into a multi-million dollar, decades-long career. I’m not here to disparage anyone who likes his particular brand of comedy, but I am here to shamelessly rip him off with my own take on his now classic routine. Over the past three-and-a-half years of parenthood, Macklin’s mama and…
The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” Ahh, New Year’s. What a wonderfully two-faced time of year. Sure, we get one more chance to party (if you can find a sitter) with friends and family, but it’s also the end. Literally. Not just the end of the year, but the end of the most joyous, merry-filled time of the year. And to celebrate, we embark on a ruthless examination of our personal failings and character flaws….