
The second in the Women We Love - Andy's Trip Edition isn't a woman at all, but a beautiful young girl: Jadyn.
Since Jadyn graced our lives over three years ago she has changed my outlook on life so much - and she isn't even my kid.
For the past 8 days Jadyn has been my alarm clock. And if waking up to a beautiful woman who I get to sleep with is the best way to wake up, waking up with a beautiful young girl saying, "come on Uncle Andy, let's get up and play" has got to be an extremely close second.
The usual morning routine involves playing a quick game of hide and go seek, which transitions into a game of tag, and then ends with some version of dolls in her bright pink room.
The other day after tag, she was getting out her dolls and I decided to try and steal a quick moment to check the iPhone for email - which is usually literally the first thing I do in the morning (before even getting out of bed).
But as she sits down by me with dolls in hand, she looks up and sees me checking the iPhone.
She responds, in the sweetest little girl voice, "Uncle Andy, can you not check your email right now and just watch me play."
I respond, "Of course."
As I sat and watched her play, I thought to myself how important - regardless of age - it is to have people who are there just to watch us play. And sure, as we get older, "play" becomes a bit different. Play becomes work. Play becomes being a husband or wife. Play becomes raising a family. Play becomes serving our community. Play becomes a whole slue of things.
But we all need support in the things we do. We need people in our lives that essentially "watch" what we do and give us the encouragement and support that we are valuable and what we are doing is valuable.
Jadyn will grow from a young girl I love, to a young woman I love, and finally to a woman I love. And I will always be there to watch her play - no matter what that play entails. And I am grateful for those who have and continue to watch me.
Now back to playing dolls...







I sure hope your attitude toward "hide and seek" with toddlers is a bit better than that of Louis CK (relevant bit starts at 1:30).
And hopefully play never ceases to be play as well.
By the way, one of the things I hate the most is people watching me when I do something. So I guess I am a counterexample.
This was hilarious!