2 Letters on Father’s Day

Dad,

Happy Father’s Day. I’m sorry we won’t see you tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the day. The weather forecasts says sunny and 80 degrees; just the kind of day you like. You should take some time for yourself. Go golfing! I know you will miss Papa tomorrow. (I know you miss him everyday.) It’s ok. He misses you,too. After you finish a round of golf, have a cold Budweiser, relax and know that we love you. Now that I have 3 little ones of my own, I get it. I get how hard you tried. I get that it didn’t all work out the way you hoped. I get your choices. I know you did the best you could and I know it wasn’t easy. Thank you for trying everyday. Thank you for those times when you chose patience over anger. Do you remember when I arrived at South Station after leaving Gettysburg College with no real plans? You gave me a hug and said we will sign you up for classes at a local school tomorrow. When I graduated from college, you were first one to snap a picture of me in my cap and gown. On my wedding day, before you walked me down the aisle, you jokingly said “we can head to the airport now, if you don’t want to go through with this.” I know you were trying to make me laugh, and I also know if I said I can’t do this, we would have left for the airport. Each time I called to tell you I was pregnant, and months later, in labor, I could hear tears in your voice. You were proud, excited and scared all at the same time. Proud. Excited. Scared. I get it! I feel this every day with my goosies.

Thanks for all of it Dad.

xo Kel

Bubba,

Happy Father’s Day! Six and a half years ago I gave birth to our daughter and you became a father for the first time. You were proud, excited and scared. The first night in the hospital you held her and watched football while I slept. Little did you know you now had a sports watching buddy for life. Yes, I think she will watch football with you when she is teenager. She may tell you she doesn’t like football, but she loves you, so she’ll stick around for a bit before something or someone pulls her away. Enjoy it. Oh and please keep taking her to the daddy/daughter dance for as long as she lets you. She talked about it for days! When she becomes a hormonal teenager, take her out to dinner. She may not talk to you, so just sit with her. Someday, she’ll get you tried.

As much as our girl needs you, so do our two beautiful boys. I don’t quite understand how boys operate, but you do. You get them; I am so grateful one of us does! I’ll look to you for advice when they become teenagers. As teenagers, I am sure they will push you away, but remember they need you.

If you take one thing away from this letter let it be this: we love you. we need you. we appreciate you. I hope you enjoy our beach day tomorrow. When we get home, take some time for yourself. You deserve it. Oh and have a cookie or two or five. I made your favorite.

Love,

Me

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

recipe barely adapted from Toll House Cookie Recipe

makes 3 dozen

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2  tsp. kosher salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups super melt chocolate chips

Directions:

Pre-heat your oven to 375 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda and salt . Set aside.

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment beat butter, sugar, brown sugar until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice.  Add the vanilla extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg.

Slowly, beat in flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate the dough in an air-tight container for a few hours or up to a week. You can also bake the dough immediately, but I find the cookies come out better if the dough rests for a few hours.

Scoop the dough into rounded tablespoons and place on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. If you want a chewy cookie, allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet , if not, allow the cookies to cool for a couple of minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will last for several days stored in an air tight container, but you will probably want to eat them right away. So, enjoy warm with a cold glass of milk!

 5 Cookie Recipes for Dad

If Dad likes dark chocolate make him Salted Dark Chocolate Truffle Cookies. You’ll find the recipe over at How Sweet It Is. I made these cookies last Christmas and Bubba loved them!

Dad is a coconut lover? No worries. Smitten Kitchen has a recipe for coconut brown butter cookies. Wow, they look amazing! I really need to try this recipe.

Bubba loves cookies, all cookies really. Another favorite cookie of his is Meyer lemon crinkle cookies. Yum! White on Rice Couple has the recipe for you.

Looking for the best oatmeal cookie recipe? I found it on the Pioneer Woman Cooks!

How about a sugar cookie dipped in chocolate? I have the recipe for you.