harpercecile

[harpercecile]

Well, it was another competitive year. There’s a lot of great dads out there, but only 1 can be World’s Greatest… 🌎🥇 You know, it’s the late nights, early mornings, @kingofpops, the intangibles… Earning this title once is hard, but back-to-back? I’m thinking another few good years and I could make it the hall. 🤣🤣 Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there. Y’all are crushing it. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you next year. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce_1i0ev0j4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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While the cat’s away… H and I had an absolute blast this weekend! We paddled around @stonemountainpark, got the corner booth at @supericatexmex, and caught Elsa and Anna at @thefoxtheatre. #daddydaughterdisneydatenight <— is a hashtag with lots of posts and auto filled. Dad’s man…. We rock! 😂 (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CecUs51ruhI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’m so proud of this girl right here. 🥹 2 years ago Harper started a new school at the height of a global pandemic. She had to meet new friends, new teachers, navigate new hallways, learn how to be a virtual student and learn how to cope with the new realities of being a kid with learning difficulties (dyslexia + ADD). It was a hard first year, but Harper can do hard things. This year, she continued to grow and blossom. She regained her confidence and learned how to advocate for herself. She fell in love with reading and learning. She overcame fears and welcomes new challenges and interests like playing baseball - she even sang solo at the talent show this year. She’s become a good friend to great friends. She’s learned that caring about and for others is an action, it’s work. She even came to terms with accepting her weird father and his braided pig tails… kind of. It’s absolutely wild to reflect on these last couple years. Harper has a long way to go, developing good habits and routines, not always being the center of attention, maybe dropping that sassy as hell attitude… But this girl… she inspires me everyday. She challenges me to be a better dad and a better partner, to be more patient and more present. She makes me laugh out loud. She’s just my favorite little human and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Love you girl. 😘 F it and let it rip! Onward to 6th grade. (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeD-00MrT9C/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Please pinch and zoom in on Harper in the first picture… We had a great time, making lifelong memories (and some serious laughs) taking a “run and mountain free” vacation this week in Orlando! 🎢 #FitAndLetItRip (at Universal Studios Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca8f-WbrThM/?utm_medium=tumblr

[harpercecile]

Since venturing into the nonprofit world 8-ish years ago, the week between Christmas and New Year’s has become an annual tradition of reflection, planning, goal setting and excitement for the new year to come. Personally, I think everyone should be given this time to unplug, relax, reflect and recover. I know, I know, I heard the “privilege” just typing it, but still... When you add a seemingly never ending global pandemic to the mix, I think this down time is more needed than ever. I could go on and on about all the shitty things that happened in 2021 - the stress, anxiety, disappointment, frustration, anger, and loss. Ask Lauren, I’m pretty good at it, but this is not that post. However, here are a few things I learned this year: science is real, vaccines and masks work, assault weapons need to be banned, listen more and hate less, eat more plants, when in doubt - go for a run, Black Lives Matter, it’s a woman’s choice, support is a verb, remote work works, there should actually be a separation of church and state, and I really miss Stevie K. 2021 wasn’t all doom and gloom though, I mean Michigan is in the College Football Playoff - something I definitely did not have on my 2021 bingo card! There was a ton of growth (both as a metaphor and also quite literally) for my family and I this year. I have no clue what 2022 has in store for us, but I can guarantee more adventures and more growth. I’m going to continue to work on being a good father, a good partner, and a good friend, a good son and a good brother. As my guy Tommy Rivs would say, “Eyes up. Stout heart. Rage on.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CYHSkp-rUTf/?utm_medium=tumblr

[harpercecile]

Woah. It’s been a wild week, capped off with a fun morning with Harper, volunteering at a local food pantry (as part of Hands On Atlanta Week). Monday we launched our monthly newsletter for @eastcoastultraco announcing a new group run and some sweet new socks! On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to speak to 200+ nonprofit pros at the University of Auburn (being back in person, on a stage, holding a mic and slide advancer was my happy place) and then got to drop off the goodies Harper bought for some nurses effected by hurricane Ida, with the $150 raised from the bake sale she did a couple weeks back. Oh and I piloted my new innovation, a hands-free burrito holder - the koozie is a great mvp. https://www.instagram.com/p/CU0Qrmilwcg/?utm_medium=tumblr

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We did it. 10! Happy Birthday Harper. (at Grant Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQmLwPHDY3_/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Harper, you’re getting so old! Can’t believe my little baby turns 10 tomorrow. I’m so unbelievably proud of the young lady she’s turning into. Smart, funny, sassy, adventurous, up for anything (except eating tofu) and just a ball of fun - I love my girl, but I also like her. Celebrating our last night in the single digits. Tomorrow we celebrate The Harper Games. 🥰 https://www.instagram.com/p/CQkK4c6DuRq/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Uncle Phil!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQibQ8D8CW/?igshid=1z2zsc8to0i1

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We wedding’d hard (in our trucked our wedding venue basement) tonight to celebrate @phillip_adkins and @eliseepearl. This isn’t how we planned, but we danced, we partied, we ate cake, drank all the beers and we loved hard. Congrats baby bro. We love y’all. We miss y’all. 🥳🎉 WEAR A DAMN MASK. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDFoISdD58Z/?igshid=zhixxo9zpb37

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Nothing but good times at Cloudland Canyon. We out here, Oreo s’mores and all. 🤙🏻 (at Cloudland Canyon State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDATjYODld2/?igshid=1yipga5nni8f

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She’s officially 9. Great day celebrating this little lady. https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6z8oDDWyV/?igshid=1xquhqy4883kq

[harpercecile]

It’s official, she’s 9! 🙀 We had a great day social distancing, laughing and celebrating this wonderful little lady. https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6zCQ0D_6g/?igshid=1499hzfyf0tde

[harpercecile]

I remember when Harper turned 1 like it was yesterday. We partied in the front yard, with friends and fam in downtown Ypsi... Every bday since has been special and created memories I’ll never forget. Full disclosure, I’m borderline stunned how quickly she’s gone from zero to 9, yes 9! But along the way Harper has always been a funny, smart, incredibly caring and awesome little kid. I’m so proud of her and genuinely enjoy the little person she’s become. I sometimes can’t believe she’s mine. Happy Birthday Harper! 🥳 I love you more than you’ll ever know, girl. https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5hdcdDy0s/?igshid=1t75vhpizxdx3

[harpercecile]

Well, it’s not quite noon and this Father’s Day has already been pretty epic. We started the day on the early side, hiking up Kennesaw Mountain to catch the sunrise (meeting some new deer friends), “running” a very hot and humid 5 miler (passing 30 on the week) and topping it off with a tasty bloody (jalapeño olives and all). It’s been a real treat y’all, and the fact I got to do it with my two favorite humans just make it perfect. But wait there’s more, the cherry on top was learning a bunch of kids on TikTok trolled Trump so bad, barely anyone showed up to his rally. 🤣 I’m not the only proud papa today, that’s for sure. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBs_jmXjnez/?igshid=1p6eazbi4lcnd

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Nobody social distances like the dead. 💀 *Yes it was weird that Harper wanted to pose by a headstone with her name on it. Luckily, we like weird in this family. #6feetapart6feetunder (at Historic Oakland Cemetery) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnrjRbjgnw/?igshid=1y0rsutwm0l2u

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Walter turned 1 today. I actually can’t believe it. I’m proud of the little guy... he’s managed to survive this long! We’ve had a bunch of adventures and many more to come. Happy Birthday buddy. 🎉 (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CARJw73jlUX/?igshid=1uyrt4n5j8ru1