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Celebrating Father’s Day: Honoring the Legacy of Sonora Smart Dodd

As we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the origins of this special day and the woman behind it—Sonora Smart Dodd. Born in 1882 in Jenny Lind, Arkansas, she moved to Spokane, Washington, at age five. After her mother died during childbirth, Sonora, the eldest of six, was raised by her father, whom she described as a strict yet loving parent.

In 1899, Sonora married John Bruce Dodd, and they had a son. She was a talented painter, sculptor, and active in women’s clubs in Spokane. She also worked as a poet, for the Red Cross, and founded the Father’s Day Association. Additionally, she taught at the Chicago Institute of Art and co-founded the Ball & Dodd funeral home.

Inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, Sonora, with her pastor Dr. Conrad Bluhm, initiated a campaign for Father’s Day. By 1913, the holiday was celebrated in several countries, and it became a U.S. national holiday in 1972 under President Nixon. In 1946, Spokane erected the first monument for Father’s Day, a plaque on a granite stone.

Though Father’s Day became commercialized, Sonora didn’t mind, believing it was just one way to honor fathers. She felt the holiday positively changed how fathers were viewed, saying, “At least I believe we’ve changed the sentiment of the country, and associate fathers with something.”

Father’s Day can be celebrated in many ways, each unique to our personal relationships and the significance it holds for us. Whether through gifts, special meals, or simply spending time together, what matters most is the love and appreciation we show to the fathers in our lives.

This year is particularly special for our family, as it is Damian’s first “human” Father’s Day since the birth of our daughter Alyce last December. Watching Damian embrace his new role with such love and dedication fills our heart with immense joy. Alyce is incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful father, and we can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with him. As last year’s Father’s Day looked more like this:

This year’s Father’s Day, looks more like that:

As we honor fathers everywhere tomorrow, fatherhood isn’t just about biology. Let’s remember to expand what it means to be a “father” by also understanding and accepting different types of fatherhood as families come in many shapes. Fathers can be: single dads, stay-at-home dads, adoptive dads, stepdads, co-parents, and same-sex dads, and yes, even mothers that take on the role!

Here’s to all the dads who shape our lives with their guidance, love, and unwavering support. Happy Father’s Day! ❤️

Tiny Tales from Alyce’s Weekly Wonders

Hi everyone! Guess what? I’m officially 6 months old this week! Can you believe it? That’s half a year already! Time flies when you’re having fun, and boy, am I loving life right now.

First things first, let’s talk about my big milestone. Being 6 months old feels pretty awesome! I’ve learned so much and have had so many adventures already. My favorite activities include giggling at silly faces, trying to roll over, and playing with all my colorful toys. But right now, there’s something a little tricky going on – I’m teething! My mom keeps my pacifiers and other teething toys in the freezer, which feels sooo good on my sore gums. Thank goodness for that chilly relief!

But that’s not all. On top of teething, I caught a cold. Yep, a stuffy nose made a couple of my nights quite uncomfortable. Sleeping was tough, and I had some cranky moments (sorry, Mom and Dad!). But don’t worry, I’m getting better and feeling stronger every day. I can’t wait to get back to enjoying my yummy purées and exploring new flavors.

And here’s something super special – Father’s Day is today! I’m so excited to celebrate with my amazing dad. I’ve been practicing really hard to say “DA-DA!” but I’m not quite there yet. I’ll keep training, though, because I know it’ll make him smile the biggest smile when he hears it.

Baby hugs and kisses!

Love,

Alyce 💕

A Father’s Day Thank You

On this Father’s Day, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible blessings in my life. Who would have thought that after all these years, I’d find myself embarking on the most incredible adventure of my life – fatherhood? It’s like an early retirement, but instead of lounging on a beach, I’m knee-deep in diapers and baby giggles. Talk about a plot twist!

To my beautiful daughter Alyce, thank you for changing my world in the most profound way. Watching you grow over these past six months has been nothing short of life-changing. It’s like witnessing a tiny human blossom before your very eyes, each day revealing a new facet of your personality. Your sheer drive and determination are awe-inspiring, reminding me that even the smallest beings can possess the mightiest spirits.

There’s something incredibly special about those quiet moments we share – the naps where you nestle against me, your tiny breaths lulling me into a state of pure contentment, or our Saturday morning plant watering, your curious eyes taking in the world around you. These simple moments are the ones I cherish the most, for they remind me of the beauty in the ordinary.

To my partner Katerina, words cannot express how grateful I am for your unwavering support. You are the glue that holds our little family together, ensuring everything runs smoothly even when the chaos threatens to overwhelm us. Your strength and resilience are an endless inspiration. None of this would be possible without you by my side.

And to my furry companions, Boujee and Dapper, you two rascals have stolen just as much of my heart as our human counterparts. In a strange twist of fate, without you, I’m not sure Alyce would be here today. The universe certainly knew what it was doing when it brought you into our lives and prepared me for the greatest adventure yet – fatherhood.

I remember the day I brought Boujee home, and she left me a little “surprise” in her cage. As frustrating as it was, something inside me shifted, and I realized that perfection isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, you just have to clean up the mess and move on, embracing the imperfections that make life so beautifully messy.

And when Alyce had her first blowout, and I found myself alone and clueless, I looked at her and said, “We got this, okay? No matter what, we got this!” That’s the beauty of parenthood – it’s a constant learning curve, but as long as you have love and determination, you can conquer any challenge.

This Father’s Day, I find myself on an unexpected journey of fatherhood – a rollercoaster ride filled with laughter, tears, and more love than I ever thought possible. Buckle up, folks, because this is just the beginning! Thank you, my beautiful family, for making every moment of this wild ride so incredibly worth it.

Woof Woof! 🐾

Bonjour, les amis! It’s Boujee and Dapper, your favorite French bulldogs, back with another thrilling update. This week, oh boy, it’s been quite the rollercoaster of emotions, grass envy, and squirrel espionage.

Our dad has been doing this thing called “seeding the grass” in the backyard. To us, it sounds like some magical ritual that humans do to make the grass greener and thicker. But you know what it means for us? No backyard frolicking! We’re like royal prisoners in a palace of lush, forbidden greenery. All we can do is gaze longingly through the window. It’s like a scene from a sad dog movie, but with more dramatic sighs and head tilts.

Now, let me tell you about Dapper. Oh, the Dapper! He’s turned this whole backyard restriction into a sport. Instead of sulking, he’s taken up squirrel-watching with the dedication of an Olympic athlete. Every morning, he positions himself by the window, ready to watch his furry frenemies scurrying across the grass. He gives them names, backstories, and sometimes even commentary. “There goes Speedy McNutty again, always in a hurry! Must be late for a squirrel meeting!”

Meanwhile, yours truly, Boujee, has been embracing my inner diva. I’ve set up my sunbathing station at the front window, soaking in the rays like the queen I am. The front yard is my domain, where I can keep an eye on the neighborhood and wait for my favorite visitor – the mailman. I give him my best bark of approval, letting him know he’s doing a fantastic job. And of course, I peep at the humans walking by, judging their fashion choices and life decisions.

In other news, Dapper has been working on his separation anxiety with Dad. Every time they go out, he’s getting a little better. He still gives Dad those big, soulful eyes that say, “Don’t leave me, hooman!” but he’s learning to be brave. It’s a process, but I’m proud of my bro. Baby steps, right? Or in Dapper’s case, baby paws.

And now, a very important message for our wonderful dad, Damian:

Joyeuse fête des Pères, Papa!

Cher Papa,

Nous te souhaitons une joyeuse fête des Pères avec tout notre amour! Merci pour tout ce que tu fais pour nous, même quand tu interdis le jardin. Nous t’aimons plus que les biscuits et les câlins!

Avec beaucoup d’amour et des léchouilles,

Boujee et Dapper 💖🐾

Thank you to our dear Vilhelmians for following our adventures! Hit like and subscribe for more! Get ready for a wild ride! Hit that subscribe button to join our awesome Substack community! Vilheeeeeelm!