The days are long, but the years are short (part five!).
Sunday is my son’s fifth birthday. Still seems like just yesterday we were packing an overnight bag enroute to the hospital.
Reflecting on another action-packed year as a father of two, I’m updating the list of things that I’ve learned in the last 365 days of Dad Life:
- We're enjoying the late pre-school season of our kids' lives. The little ones are still trying and learning lots of new things and activities--but their schedules aren't crazy busy yet. They are great travelers and enjoy adventures. And as a major added bonus, they even play together nicely from time to time!
- Being done with diapers is a game changer
- Popping your daughter's elbow back into place isn't as hard or as scary as you think it would be. I would be remiss if I didn't give props to Youtube for the assist
- That entire experience had me reconsidering my career choices for a few minutes--Dr. Brennan has a nice ring to it, right?
- Preschool is still the best check we write every month. Though I must admit I'm looking forward to getting a "raise" when kindergarten starts this time next year
- Monster jam rules
- Poison sumac is for the birds
- Don't chase after golf balls in the woods (especially not in places where there's poison sumac)
- Halloween should always be celebrated on a Friday or Saturday
- United is far and away the best domestic airline
- Soup is underrated
- Football Season is the best season
- I retract every negative comment I've ever made about the Chicago Bears. At least until this Sunday.
- It took 40 football seasons for me to learn, but having a great offense is more fun than having a great defense
- OK, last one I promise--if my son was born 5 years later his name would undoubtedly be Ben Johnson Brennan
- Or maybe Pete Crow-Armstrong Brennan. One of those two, for sure.
- Inflation stinks, but it is still better than deflation
- Despite the proliferation of artificial intelligence, human connection has never been more important
- I agree to not be upset about our family getting sick this year (and in future years) if it means that Colorado has winter and ample water supplies going forward.
- It's never too early to introduce your children to the Grateful Dead and Phish
- My wife knew she was in real trouble the first time my son called out the segue from Scarlet Begonias into Fire on The Mountain
- Near misses continue to be the biggest driver of behavioral change
- Chick-Fil-A has better chicken nuggets and french fries, McDonalds has better toys. Or so I've been told
- Spending time with your parents as an adult is wonderful. I hope my children want to spend time with me when they are in their late 30's
- Having a partner to share in the craziness, the ups and downs, the good times and bad times is still paramount—I would be lost without mine
Finally, your annual reminder: Call your family. Turn off the news. Take the risk. Go to the concert. Put down your phone. Pull your kid out of school and take him to the Cubs game. Share your feelings. Get outside. Take the trip. Show up for your people. Order dessert. You only get one shot at life so enjoy the ride. Whatever you do, spend the time, I promise you won’t regret it.
