An Open Letter to Our Children

Dear Dylan, Hudson and Sloane-

  You are scheduled for arrival in 6 days. Which works out nicely for us since, you’ll soon find out, we love schedules and plans. You’ll learn a lot about your father and I, some of it will make you happy, somethings will drive you nuts, and some quirks will just plain baffle you1. We are anxious to meet you, and learn all about you as well. One thing we know about you with certainty is that you are above average. When we first learned that there were three of you, the doctors told us to expect your birthday in 33 weeks. Well, we are now in the middle of week 35 and you are quite content right where you are! You’ve impressed us and the rest of the world already. We’ve dreamed about you for a very, very long time now. It seems impossible that you’ll be here in less than a week. Our hearts, your room, the house, your family and friends are all ready for you.

  In these few moments of quiet and clarity, we wanted to make some promises to you. We Promise....

1. To show you the best parts of the world we are brining you into, and protect you from the worst parts to the best of our abilities.
   
   
2. That we will make mistakes, and will not be perfect parents.
   

                 2a. We promise to learn from our mistakes, as well as our successes.

3. To let you make mistakes, to fall down, to fail, and screw up.
   
   
4. To have dance parties.
   
   
5. To help you find and follow your passions. As long as they are legal, and safe, are helpful to you and humanity, don’t require us to get up at 5am for a practice....we can work out the specifics at a later time.
   
   
6. To respect you, and that we will be respected in return.
   
   
7. That we will embarrass the bejesus out of you at school functions, sporting events, and when hanging out with friends. You’ll forgive us though, because in the end, we were there and that’s what counts. Just ask Uncle Evan, he knows all about this kind of thing.
   
   
8. To have more patience with you than Mommy has with the rest of the human race.
   
   
9. That Daddy will help you with your math homework, and Mommy will help with English/Language Arts. You’re sort of up a creek with Science and Social Studies.2
   
   
10. To go through your things, read your diary, and stalk your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram (or whatever ridiculous social media exists at the time) all in the name of overprotection love.
    
    
11. That whatever happens at Needlepants and Fleeble Flobble’s3 house stays there. I’m not even sure we want to know what they let you do, or eat. They are certainly spoiling you, that’s for sure.
    
    
12. To treat each of you equally, justly and to regard you individually.
    

              12a. To not dress you in matching attire.

   13. To let you like any college team you want....as long as it’s not Notre Dame.

This list will likely evolve over time, however the theme of it will never change; that we will love you unconditionally for the rest of your lives and will stop at nothing to be the best parents that we can be.

With love that knows no bounds, 
Daddy and Mommy

1 I’m mostly referring to your father with this one. 

2 Maybe hit up Aunt Janelle
3 AKA Grandpa and Grandma Blankenship