July 27, 2024

Dear Eloise,

Hidden Acts of Love

When I started to date your mother, I knew instantly she was different. It's a cliché that your mother and I shared a bond that blossomed into marriage. What usually isn't cliché are the words some may use to thank, honor, and value someone. We often get swept up in everyday life, and little tasks like taking out the trash are just expected and overlooked, as if they don't matter. In my opinion, that's a rubbish way of thinking. To miss out on an opportunity to express gratitude for someone doing a task voluntarily is, in my utmost opinion, a true factor of worth and recognition.

Before our wedding, your mother demonstrated this acknowledgment day in and day out. It wasn't forced, yet the beauty of what was said hasn't left my heart. You could say that these little tasks we do for our loved ones are the main reason we do them in the first place—not for the praise or accolades that might not even be returned half the time, but for the hidden recognition seen by those we love.

Sketty, Puscetty, Spaghetti

I continue to mention that your mother and I share a common interest in the silly little names we assign to the most ordinary foods. It’s a subtle pastime or a quip of sorts. We talk like third graders but act in love. It's a constant reminder that we're still young at heart in every way. Every couple has their own way of showing this type of communication, especially through playful banter. It's almost as if we've created our own set of rules and an entirely new language to use. It energizes our imagination, allowing us to have fun free from the outside world and to see each other as kids at heart.

Bookish Adventures Begin

I gained a fascination for film and books at an early age—literature for you proper gents. I recently finished a challenging book, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. Honestly, it was one of the toughest and most difficult books I've read in a while. The story is insane, but the specific industry-standard jargon was complex, to say the least. To celebrate my well-deserved win, I continue my book-reading escapades with my next book: The Martian by Andy Weir. This was highly recommended by your lovely aunt Claire last Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed the film of the same title that featured the talented Matt Damon. I'm super excited about this book! I'll let you know how much I enjoy it.

Your father,

Aaron Johnson.