Making Strides In Hockey Development.

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Happy Fatherโ€™s Day

alf bc hockey hall of fame boise dad darryl sydor fathers day gretzky hulk hogan kamloops kennewick mark recchi milan lucic scott gomez scott niedermayer team canada tim hortons Jun 15, 2024

In 1988 I had 3 major influences in my life. The first was Wayne Gretzky. I wore The Great One's pajamas nearly every single night till the stitches ripped and the graphics faded.  My 99 branded lunch box made its journey to Kay Bingham Elementary School every morning, complete with matching thermos. The second was Hulk Hogan. His action figure with the kung fu grip was about as much a treasure as an 8 year old boy could have. The Hulkster was larger than life at that age. His blonde locks and signature mustache made me want to "say my prayers and take my vitamins,” so I could grow up to become a World Champ. The last thing was a furry extraterrestrial from Melmac named Alf. This cat loving visitor from outer space graced our television sets weekly. My sisters and I rarely agreed on anything. Alf was the one thing we could find common ground on.

You’re probably wondering where my father fit in to this trifecta. Well he was in the middle of all of it. He was Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall tending net as I was the Great One, playing hours of road hockey in our driveway on Moody Avenue. He would then morph into WWF legend Rowdy Roddy Piper. The only worthy foe that could stand in my way as I channeled Hogan, flexed my 13 inch pythons, and brought all the Hulkamaniacs to their feet. He would always help turn the channel knob on the black and white TV to find our favorite alien. He would share belly laughs with us as ALF would find himself in another situation that Willie Tanner would have to dig him out of.

It’s funny how life has a way of coming full circle. As I sit and reflect on what to write or how to capture the influence my father had on me, I realize that no amount of words can cover that scope. I watch my two young sons bounce on the trampoline as the sprinkler whirls around underneath them, wondering what kind of future their lives will hold. Will we share a bond through hockey? I truly hope it involves the sport I love. I dream that they are able to experience this beautiful game to the level I was able to experience it to. If they don't, that's fine too. I just hope they are able to learn through the game. The way I learned. By being around the rink. By being part of teams. By sitting in the passenger seat of the car while we are on the way to yet another hockey tournament. Dad holding a coffee-son holding a chocolate milk. Miles behind them, infinity in front of them. On their way to making another memory. Memories every dad holds onto and cherishes. That's what this entry into "Deep-ish Thoughts" is today.

Those memories of fathers and their beloved children. Celebrating those bonds and the reason we will see father's weep as their baby boys lift the Stanley Cup in the upcoming days. I believe these stories are best told by people that have done it or are in the midst of it. It’s very hard to gain wisdom without the experience one must go through to acquire it. I decided to ask a few folks that I admire to jot down a few notes to hopefully help you in your endeavors as a hockey parent. Each one having a unique perspective. Each one having equal measures success and setback. The part I appreciate about all of them is that they are still “dadding” to this very day. Leading their sons and daughters the best way they can. With the bond of hockey woven between them.


 

Jason Haugen is a pioneer in the development of women’s hockey in Idaho. His Minnesota roots transferred to the “Potato State” as his vision has helped lead ladies from all over the Pacific Northwest. His daughter Bryn will begin her collegiate career at St. Olaf this season as a freshman on the ladies hockey team. Jason is a Level 5 USA Hockey coach and one of the most unique thinkers of the game you will have a chance to meet. He is prepared, professional, a gifted teacher and an excellent communicator. He is a leader.

As I write and reflect on our experience raising two daughters in today’s culture of youth sports, our oldest daughter just led her crew to her college’s first NCAA V4+ rowing conference victory and is heading to the NCAA National Rowing Championships, and our youngest daughter is preparing to head off to college after receiving offers to play both NCAA Hockey and Soccer. The time they spent participating in youth sports, particularly on the ice, did prepare them for this but not necessarily in the way one might think.

My wife and I are from Minnesota and while participating in all things water, whether in a boat or on a frozen surface, is certainly core to our upbringing our intent was never to develop our daughters as athletes in the mold of our upbringing. Our intent was simply to raise confident, hardworking, healthy, creative, preserving, intelligent women of high character and faith. Sports were merely one of many mechanisms to instill those values. If fact, neither of our girls even participated in their sport of choice in their earliest years let alone specialized in them before heading off to college. Both girls started with skiing recreationally because it made sense in Idaho, and I suppose on a form of water. Interests and opportunities though also led them to gymnastics, track, cross country, soccer, ice skating, skate skiing, kayaking, boating, rafting, water skiing, swimming, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking, music, and travel amongst other activities. Some of these we just did recreationally, others competitively, but in all cases winning and advancing was never the top priority contrary to the pressures otherwise. Rather, it was simply time to have fun together and develop the values we wanted to instill. 

Both our girls were late bloomers, in some cases barely eclipsing the first percentile and so the stage of their maturity relative to their peers was a significant disadvantage. It didn’t matter. Our focus wasn’t on stats, titles, trophies or even being on the “A” team. Rather, finding coaches and programs who genuinely cared for and engaged in their development. To be clear, that doesn’t mean these were soft or easy coaches or programs (often it was quite the opposite), just ones that genuinely cared for them and supported multiple avenues for their development. As our youngest daughter’s interests narrowed to hockey and soccer, we supported those interests but even then, as her peer’s early specialization and early development separated them from her, she still hung up her skates in soccer season and cleats in hockey season. And we patiently allowed her to develop at her pace, playing where she played on lower teams’ vs sitting on the bench on elite teams. If stats, titles, trophies, and teams were the gauge of her success in those years she wouldn’t still be playing. What was instead happening was our girls were getting engagement from coaches who cared, getting a lot of playing time and developmenthaving fun, and ultimately developing attributes such as confidence, creativity, IQ, speed, quickness, technical skills, humility and above all learning leadership, perseverance and to work hard as byproducts of our goals for them, and in some cases because of late specialization and development.

I played football, track and hockey through college and so outside of my parents my coaches were the biggest influences in my life. I believe hockey though uniquely develops the values we want in adults, and so seeing the lack of both opportunities and coaches for girls’ hockey in Idaho is what drew me to volunteer. After coaching girls for the past decade, it also became clear that girls hockey is different than boys, especially as they get older. Girls interact differently, react differently and their game is played differently and that needs to be understood and supported, but somehow, we’ve turned that into also meaning that girls should have fewer choices, opportunities, and expectations for them than boys. In those things girls shouldn’t be treated differently. 

Most of our lives are spent before, after, and outside of playing sports and that’s why the lessons learned from sports are more important than the stats, titles, trophies, and teams one plays on in youth teams. In college that may change but we recognize that what our girls have become is not because of early introduction, specialization or us parents driving for our kids to be elite athletes, rather it’s a byproduct of the leadership, values, and development they gained through all their endeavors, including the time they spent on the ice. And, while just one of our family of four still plays hockey competitively, the whole family still skates and in fact participates in most of the other sports we introduced if for nothing else other than for the pure joy and fitness that comes along with connecting with others while playing them. 

 Jason Haugen


Tae Hwan Park has had an incredible journey throughout the hockey landscape. The loving father of 3 is a staple in arenas across North America. His smiling face, joyful heart and optimistic disposition are a welcomed sight to many players, parents and coaches. Always one to look for the teachable opportunity, Tae is an artist at looking at the situation and seeing the perspective it will eventually bring. His thoughts are always looking forward- guiding his children with love, support and belief.

 My name is Tae Hwan Park, and I am the proud father of three remarkable hockey players: two boys, one playing defense ('06) and one forward ('08), and one girl who excels both as a defense and forward ('10). In 2012, we moved from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, and chose hockey for its purity, simplicity, and the high standards of excellence it demands. In hockey, there are no handicaps, no participation trophies—everyone plays by the same rules, on the same rink, striving for greatness. There is no other team sport as demanding and character-building as hockey!

In the summer of 2014, my oldest took his first "learn to skate" lesson at Idaho Ice World. His oversized gear lasted him two years, and then we passed it down to Ethan and Kuee. Today, they all play at different levels, but what matters most is that they share their love for Hockey by getting involved in every aspect of hockey life: as players, volunteers, and referees.

Patience has its rewards. Making each child wait their turn has instilled a greater hunger, a competitive drive, and keen observational skills that have enhanced their gameplay. As father, their advocate and advisor, I've made my share of mistakes, but it's never too late to correct them. So, I would have to tell you all to start young. Equip them with quality skates that fit and sticks that are just right. Happy feet and the right flex point make all the difference. You don’t need the most expensive gear at the beginning; focus on what fits and functions well.They will all grow out of it by next season.

Emphasize the basics: skating and puck handling. Invest in skating coaches and practice puck handling and shooting at home. Remember, the game is to skate up the ice with the puck and score. So, the priorities are clear: #1 Skating, #2 Puck handling, and #3 Shooting. If you can't skate, you won't be on the ice. If you can't handle the puck, you can't shoot. It's that simple.

For forwards, encourage them to play and skate like a Center. As an NHL coach once said, "I can always find another Wing nut, but I prefer wingers who skate and play like a Center." For defense, the smartest players on the ice, it's all about angles, timing, and a grid system of "up, down, side to side."

Training doesn’t stop at the rink. Do extra work at home: puck handling, jumps, and footwork. Understand what you're training for and put in the time to develop your child into a better player. Dedication at home builds better execution on the ice.

Hockey is more than a sport; it's a way of life that shapes character, teaches perseverance, and fosters a relentless pursuit of excellence. Let's embrace this journey with passion and determination. Happy Father’s Day!

 Tae Hwan Park


Spencer McLean is an Idaho native who got into hockey later in life. The Borah High School graduate competed in many sports growing up. Wrestling, football and baseball among them. Hockey "just wasn't around." He got introduced to the game by purchasing season tickets to the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. His children became interested in the sport and he, like any great parent, jumped in with both feet. Spencer can be seen at the rink quite regularly wearing one of his many hats. Coach, referee, VP or mentor. Coach McLean leads the best way he knows how, through example. His players adore him, his colleagues respect him. He is a man of values who is unapologetic for the standards he has for himself and the people he leads.

As a father of three children deeply immersed in the world of hockey, I have had the unique opportunity to witness the sport's profound impact on their lives. My 14-year-old daughter Charlotte plays the game, my 10-year-old son Preston is chasing Charlotte, and my 18-year-old daughter Amelia is an enthusiastic supporter of the game. This journey has been filled with moments of pride, learning, and personal growth for our entire family.

Charlotte embarked on her hockey journey later than most and with a mix of excitement and determination as she started on her hockey journey at 9 after she had already been figure skating. Watching her develop her skills, embrace teamwork, and face challenges head-on has been nothing short of inspiring. Her dedication to the sport is evident in her early morning practices and the countless hours spent refining her technique. Hockey has taught her resilience, leadership, and the importance of perseverance—lessons that extend far beyond the rink.

Preston has been all in for hockey from day one. He has watched the movie Miracle so many times I believe he can quote every line from memory. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his eagerness to learn and improve is a testament to his love for the game. Being involved in hockey at such a young age has given him a sense of discipline and a strong work ethic. He looks up to his older sister as a role model, and their shared experiences on and off the ice have strengthened their bond as siblings. As a father, it is heartwarming to see them support and motivate each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie within our family.

Amelia, our eldest daughter, has become an ardent supporter of the sport. We started taking her to Idaho Steelheads games when she was very little, and she was always engaged and cheering for her favorite player. She watches as her sister and Brother invest so much of themselves in the game and is always there to help get them out to the rink. Her enthusiasm for hockey and support for her siblings remains unwavering, and she actively participates cheering on her siblings from the stands.

As a father, navigating the world of youth hockey has been both challenging and rewarding. The early morning practices, long drives to tournaments, and the financial commitments are all part of the journey. However, the life lessons my children have gained from hockey far outweigh these challenges. The sport has instilled in them a sense of discipline, teamwork, and the ability to handle both victories and defeats with grace. It has also brought our family closer together, as we share in the highs and lows of their hockey experiences.

Moreover, hockey has introduced us to a community of dedicated coaches, supportive parents, and passionate players. This network has provided invaluable support and encouragement, reinforcing the importance of a strong support system in any endeavor. The friendships formed and the memories created within this community are treasures that will last a lifetime.

In conclusion, being a father to children who are deeply involved in hockey has been a remarkable journey. The sport has shaped their characters, strengthened our family bonds, and opened doors to new opportunities. I am proud of their achievements and grateful for the experiences we have shared. Hockey is more than just a game for us—it is a source of life lessons, cherished memories, and endless possibilities.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story.

Spencer McLean

Hockey Dad


 Jim Spracklen has been a hockey dad to more than his share of players. His sons, Joey and Chris are the primary ones. The rest, have been influenced by Jim through a multitude of levels. As a former president of Tri-City Amateur Hockey Association, as a billet for the Tri-City Americans (WHL), and as an expert conversationalist. Most meetings, taking place on the patio-frosty beverage in hand. Attentive listening taking place, thoughtful questions being asked, then sound-sincere-careful advice being bestowed. Jim is a "Renaissance Man" of many talents and a cornerstone of guidance for many folks in Southeast Washington State. This semi professional Cribbage player that "never gets a cut," is a mentor that has played an enormous role in setting the standard and leading that standard for many of us that have inhabited that famous house on Jefferson Street in Kennewick, WA.

A father’s perspective on the hockey life

Hockey became a thing in our home around 1990, when my two young sons decided they wanted to be Tri-City Americans hockey stars.  And, all these years later, my sons, now 39 and 37 years old, still play in adult hockey leagues whenever they get the chance within their busy Army lives.  
What lessons were learned along the way of this great adventure?  First, I must state that I never played hockey as a kid—we didn’t have organized hockey associations, and at best, we put on skates to play on frozen ponds with pieces of wood and a rock for a puck.  So, I could offer nothing to the boys to aid in their hockey skills.  We were fortunate to have energetic, enthusiastic, if not knowledgeable, coaches in our young hockey association in Kennewick, Washington in the early ‘90s.  

Lesson 1: Get involved.  Coach, assist the coach, become a team parent, join the hockey association board, run the game clocks/penalty bench, become a referee/linesperson—whatever.  

Lesson 2: Let the coaches coach. Don’t undermine the coach and don’t send mixed messages to your child.  

Lesson 3: Let young players be young players.  Let them have fun. Don’t worry about the score board.  Applaud their efforts.  I have seen incredibly talented hockey players walk away from the sport, solely because their parents put too much pressure on them.

Lesson 4:  Your player will NOT be the next Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby.  Sorry.  So, don’t give them that idea or act like your kid is the chosen one.  It will ruin the player, it will ruin the fun, and it will ruin your relationship.

Lesson 5: Be there.  It is normal as a parent to not be able to make every game, but whenever possible, be there. The kids won’t ever admit it, but they want you there, and they hurt when you are not.  

Lesson 6: Road trips are the best! Time together as a family, and with other hockey families, is just incredible.  Our kids may not remember the hockey game, but they remember the Portland Zoo, the Vancouver Aquarium, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Canadian Rockies, museums, and amusement parks that we were able to visit while traveling with the boys. It is the times together doing special things that build memories that last forever.  The memories of traveling together as a family will last forever—even against the trauma of a car that reeks of sweaty hockey gear.  Trust me, the day will come when you will miss that smell—believe or not.

Lesson 7: Off-ice practice is critical.  Hockey games are fun, but it is the off-ice efforts that truly hone the player’s skills--playing on rollerblades in the driveway, learning to control the puck and make accurate shots into a net. I had to put plywood up over the sheetrock in the garage because the boys graduated from slapping tennis balls to shooting pucks.  We still have a freezer in the garage that is riddled with a hundred hockey puck dents.  Just as in other sports like baseball and soccer, it is the goofing around in the backyard, or driveway, or park, that really sharpens the skills—moreso than the 45 minutes during ice practice or the 60 minutes of a game.  Embrace the damage the pucks will do to your garage, because every ding is a memory.  If you are fortunate enough to have a hockey development program in your area, find a way to take advantage of it.  A good player HAS to be a good skater, period.  And, a good player HAS to be a good puck handler, period.  Development programs make this happen, if the kid works hard.

Lesson 8: take pictures; lots of pictures—pictures of them on the ice, in their hockey gear, with their teammates, and with their grandparents.  Your son or daughter will treasure them and will want to look at them again and again and again, all through life, because these will represent the very best of times.  
My boys were not NHL caliber players, but they were good players.  They made it to the Western Hockey League—a dream since they were 5 years old. They got to play, live, and go to school in many towns across the US and Canada, as they pursued their dreams.  They developed friendships that remain strong today.  The bonds of hockey are like few other sports—for reasons that I do not totally understand.  But, I think it has to do with the absolute reliance on teamwork on the ice, the shared long bus trips, the initiation rituals of rookies, the locker room antics and traditions, and the fact that it takes special athletes to be hockey players—so many skills are involved.  Everyone plays offense and everyone plays defense.  No one, no matter how great, can carry a hockey team alone.  They have to pass the puck and they have to receive the puck.

I am certain that I would have been a crappy hockey player—probably a “bender” in their lingo.  But, I sure do respect those who play the sport.  It is an amazing and enduring community of great kids and great adults.  Enjoy every danged minute of it.

Three decades after my sons started playing hockey, our home is still graced with seemingly hundreds of hockey sticks (full size and mini sticks), team jerseys, chipped pucks, trophies, team photos, and old hockey nets.  By the way, just keep buying mini sticks everywhere you go. The kids collect them, and every hotel is an opportunity for a mini stick hockey game in the hallway.  Also, your family rooms will be used for mini stick tournaments, well into your child’s adult years.

Side note: if your son or daughter decides to become a goalie—get a second or third job.  But, support it.  A modern rep team is built from the goalie out, and a decent goalie will always have a place on a team.  Be prepared for heartbreak, but also for celebrating a hero. It is worth it, but wowzer, it is expensive.  Be prepared, and maintain a healthy heart, to survive that game where your child shatters a goalie stick over the crossbar after letting in a game-winning goal.  

My sons did not go to the NHL, but they were the first Division I college hockey players from our hockey association.  They won scholarships to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and proudly played for the Army hockey team—one as a goalie, one as a forward.  They remain in service to their country, and currently are both Majors in the Army.  No matter where they are stationed, they find adult hockey teams to continue their passion.  Hockey is something unique and special. Hockey families are the best.  And hockey players become successful and responsible adults.  We raised our boys, and had other players living with us over a 25 year span. Somewhere around 20 kids lived with us, some for months, some for years.  We count that as a huge gift.  Truly, every one of these players have led successful lives. Three played in the NHL; many played in the WHL; most just enjoyed great years of youth and junior hockey.  But, every one is a winner in life—many with marriages and kids who now play hockey, some as business owners, several as hard working skilled laborers, but against all odds these days, they are all doing well in life. Is that a coincidence?  I don’t think so.  

Jim Spracklen 


Don Hay is a name synonymous with success. He is the Western Hockey League's career leader in wins by a head coach. He is the owner of 4 Memorial Cup rings (Kamloops Blazers-3, Vancouver Giants-1) He has represented Hockey Canada in many international competitions. Hayzer won gold in 1995 at the U20 World Junior Championship and secured bronze in 2012. Don is member of British Columbia's Hockey Hall of Fame. Hay and his wife Vicki will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in November of 2024. The Kamloops, B.C. product has been a head coach in the NHL for the Phoenix Coyotes & the Calgary Flames. He continues coaching now as an associate coach for the Kamloops Blazers & as "Papa" to his 8 grandchildren.

Taking my son and daughters to the rink when they were young and watching them learn the game of hockey was so much fun and rewarding for me, we spent countless hours at the rink together.

Having played the game when I was growing up, I wanted them to experience and learn the sport as I did.

It’s more then just a game, it’s a life time of creating new friendships, learning new skills, solving problems, and challenging themselves to grow, not only as a hockey player but as an individual.

We all want our kids to be the best or maybe one day to be a pro and make a living playing a game that they love, but it’s not going to always happen. A under nine player is not a hockey player.  He or she has to focus on learning and growing his /her skills…when they are learning the game, they need to have fun learning the fundamentals and skills it takes to enjoy and feel like they are getting better at the game to gain confidence to try new things that their coaches will challenge them to do.

They need support from their parents not only on the good days but especially on the hard days when things didn’t go well for them, or you didn’t think that they gave it their best effort in practice or the game that they were learning how to play. There will be good and bad days as they are learning and failing to understand the different skills that they have to acquire and conquer.

I remember the day my son was eight years old, he went after a loose puck, protected the puck and skated up the ice, around the group of kids chasing him and went in and took a shot on the goalie. I was so proud of what he did because he put some skills together and it was a sign that he was learning the game. He didn’t score, he didn’t have to score it was about his growth, it’s not about who scores the most goals, praise effort not results.

As a player gets older the game gets harder as it becomes more competitive. When they are just starting you want them to be as excited on their way home from the rink as they were to get onto the ice. Let your son or daughter enjoy their success and failures when they are young. They can’t be afraid to try and fail and try again as they are always learning the game when they are starting out till the day they decide to stop playing.

It’s interesting as I look back on the years gone by when our kids played hockey. There are so many different stories that come to mind  - that a parent can’t truly appreciate until later on in life. One story that I will share with you is about Darrell. I recall being in our old Memorial Arena in Kamloops.  I was sitting in the stands waiting for Darrell’s practice to start. His Mom had  brought him to the rink, gotten him dressed and out onto the ice. He saw me in the stands and skated the full length of the ice, banged his stick on the glass to get my attention. I looked up to see him remove his helmet so as to show me his new “brush cut “ that he was so proud of….I will never forget that big toothless smile and how excited he was with his new haircut. I hope your years in hockey reward you with lots of fond memories and stories to pass on.

Yours in hockey , 

Don Hay


I would like to thank all the fathers that were kind enough to be part of this. There is much wisdom in those words above. I hope they have the same impact on you as they do on me.

I am on the same path as you. Trying to navigate the ups and downs of this journey. Some days I feel like Walter Gretzky when I see my sons shooting pucks in the garage. So much hope and optimism. Other times, like Homer Simpson wanting to strangle them as another one of my requests to clean up the living room falls on deaf ears. 

I don’t know if there is a strategy other than to keep trying to be the best father I can be. I hope that they pay as much attention to me as I did to my dad. I look back on the bike rides I used to take while my father jogged out by the Kamloops airport. I would carry an apple in my pocket to feed the horses that lived out there. He would take our Siberian Husky, Kayla, in tow as we headed west down Tranquille Road towards Kamloops Lake. We would navigate around Brocklehurst with no real reason to be anywhere but there. I remember going to visit him and his colleagues at the Kamloops Fire Department in North Kamloops with a dozen fresh donuts from Tim Hortons. He would open the door after we hit the buzzer and the smile on his face to see us (or maybe the donuts) was ear to ear. Other times, I had a habit of falling asleep on the training table of the Kamloops Blazers dressing room in Memorial Arena. I would curl up on the first aid table after the second period and wake up as my dad threw me over his shoulder and carried me across Landsdowne Street to pour me into the car to head home. I hope my kids will have those experiences with me. I kinda chuckle recalling those times. What was my dad thinking about on those runs? Was he excited to see us or the apple fritter?

In life sometimes we are in such a hurry to get to the destination, we forget about what makes the journey so special. Like the memories I just spoke about, just a child and their father. Passing along the secrets and wisdoms Dad's have learned along the way. Creating family pride and traditions. The destination usually arrives when we are ready to be there. I have been on this journey a long time, with many stops along the way. So long that I can't even remember what the destination is. If you can keep your kids on this path as long as you can, enjoying the game as long as they can, then you don’t need a destination. 

If I can have the same impact on my sons as my dad had on me, I did something valuable with my life. I think of the names my father has taught through coaching. Names that adorn Lord Stanley's silver cup. Mark Recchi, Scott Niedermayer, Darryl Sydor, Scott Gomez, Milan Lucic. Names that have been etched into the greatest prize in team sports to stand the test of time. The same stuff that he has passed on to me. Work hard, be true to your word, give more than you receive, love your family, play with an edge and fight for the things you believe in. My name isn't on the Stanley Cup (yet), but if my sons can learn half as much as I did from my old man, then I won the ultimate prize. ๐Ÿ’

Written by Darrell Hay on June 15/2024. Writing Credits- Jason Haugen, Tae Hwan Park, Spencer McLean, Jim Spracklen & Don Hay.

About the Author: on April 2, 1980 I entered this world at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops BC via C Section. My folks were 27 at the time. When I became a father on October 4th at the ripe old age of 37, I didn’t know that I could love something so much. 

I have kept a running note (above) of all my sons’ firsts in life . From what happened on the day they were born to every little step and milestone along the way. I am beyond blessed to get to raise a family with the love of my life (Casey) and get to go through every up and down together. Same way my folks did with me. I sincerely hope you all have an amazing day. Being a dad is the best thing I have ever done in my life. I hope you enjoy this Father’s Day and get to reflect on what matters the most. The people that have the joy of calling you dad.