Unspoken Lessons

There’s a lot that comes with fatherhood that you can prepare for. You know there’ll be late nights, diaper changes, and plenty of learning as you go. But it’s the things no one really talks about that end up shaping you most. Take a simple, quiet afternoon on the couch. There’s a lot unsaid here. … Continue reading Unspoken Lessons →

Between Seasons

A month ago, we wrapped up another summer season at camp. The final days were filled with the usual goodbyes, last-minute packing, and the bittersweet moment of driving down that familiar road one last time. It’s a transition I’ve grown used to over the years, but nothing could have prepared me for the feeling of … Continue reading Between Seasons →

Living in the Tension of Grace and Grit

Titus 3:4-7 (NIV) “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our … Continue reading Living in the Tension of Grace and Grit →

To My Brother, Two Years Later

Tom, it’s been two years now since you left us. Two years that have changed my world in ways I never could’ve imagined. Your absence has carved out a space in my life that still feels raw, still feels too empty. And in these two years, so much has happened that you should’ve been here … Continue reading To My Brother, Two Years Later →

Lesson in Love

There are moments as a parent that catch you completely off guard. Here’s one of them. I wasn’t trying to make a memory. I wasn’t thinking about anything profound. I was just being silly, trying to make my son laugh. But then I saw the look on his face — that wide-eyed, almost startled expression … Continue reading Lesson in Love →

Leader of the Pack

During our walk, something about Dacks caught my attention. His usual pattern of walking ahead, then doubling back, played out as it always has. But this time, when he turned, his focus wasn’t solely on Cassie, but also on Judah, our son. Dacks has always taken it upon himself to check in on the group, … Continue reading Leader of the Pack →

Held in the Stillness

The other night, after bath time, I found myself sitting on the bathroom floor, holding my son wrapped up in his towel. His tiny body relaxed into mine, the warmth of the bath still lingering. At 3 months old, he doesn’t know much about the world, but he knows when he’s safe, when he’s held … Continue reading Held in the Stillness →

Clarity in the Blur

It’s strange how blurry those first few weeks of recovery are. I know my wife was there—caring for me and our newborn—but if I’m honest, I barely remember most of it. The days in the hospital, the frustration of not being able to move, and the fog of constant pain all blend. But this photo… … Continue reading Clarity in the Blur →

The Road Between

Leaving camp is always tough. As I watched the last sunset over the Adirondacks, that familiar bittersweet feeling washed over me. The drive back to Chicago was long, but this time it was different—my wife and child flew ahead, leaving me to drive with my brother. It had been a while since we’d spent real … Continue reading The Road Between →

Hope in the Wreckage

At the start of the summer, life was supposed to be filled with joy, anticipation, and the excitement of new beginnings. My son was just three weeks old, and I was preparing to step into my responsibilities as the assistant camp director at Northern Frontier. But in an instant, everything changed. It was an ordinary … Continue reading Hope in the Wreckage →