A Night that I'll Remember Forever

Years from now, what memories will stand out when you think about your son or daughter?

Family trips? Going to football games together? A dance recital? Catching a fish at Spring Outing?

It's great when you realize that you've just experienced something that you know that you'll never forget. I can't stop thinking about it even today.

Last night I took my daughter Ashlyn "Fuzzy Kitty" to the 3rd year Daddy/Daughter Date Night. While 3rd year Guides and their dads get to go to B.W. Wells to camp out, 3rd year Princesses get to get all dressed up and attend a sit down dinner and dance with their dads.

On Saturday, we started to get ready. Ashlyn and her mom went shopping to buy a new dress. I pulled out my suit to make sure I could still wear it.

On the way to the dance, Ashlyn asked "Who's going to be there? What's it going to be like? What music are they going to play?"

"I don't know. We'll have to find out together."

We arrived and ran into Jerry & Jessica, a dad and daughter from our tribe. Ashlyn picked out her corsage, which she wore around her wrist. We got our picture made like they do at high school proms. We each got lemonade in the reception area.

At 6:00 pm, the dads escorted their daughters into the ballroom arm-in-arm. We found our assigned table, full of silverware, plates and drink glasses.

"This is so fancy!" Ashlyn said.

The girls all got fruit cups, followed by chicken strips and fries, while the dads got salad and a nice chicken & mushroom entree. Everyone got a huge slab of chocolate cake for dessert.

At 7:00 pm, the fun really started with the dancing, complete with DJ and lights. Songs ranged from the requisite "YMCA", to "Brown Eyed Girl" (makes me think of the Spring Outing fireworks) and "My Girl". Throw in "Carolina Girls" and "Shout" and it was a fun night. We danced the "Electric Slide", did the "Chicken Dance" (of course) and had a "Twist" contest (Ashlyn's very good!). Bobby "Big Hare" helped the dads "find their Groove Thing", teaching us to do the "sprinkler", "lawn mower", "grocery shopping" and the "weed eater".

Thankfully we had a few slow songs to let us dads rest sprinkled throughout. After the sweatiest dad contest, the night ended with a slow dance to "Butterfly Kisses". (Must'n listen to the words or I'll cry.)

Ashlyn looked so big last night. She's growing up too fast. It seems like just last week, she was 4 years old.

I'll always remember holding her close and slow dancing with her and her looking up at me with a smile on her face.

We talked a lot about the night on the way home, picking out our favorite songs and moments. She was so excited to tell her mom and brother about the event. When we turned into our neighborhood, I asked a question, but she didn't answer. She had fallen asleep.

We will always remember this night.

Dads, do not miss this event. It is worth every penny.

Great Turnout at Dads Orientation Meetings

Wow!

I'm happy to report that we had a standing room-only crowd at the Dads Orientation meeting held earlier this month at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. I spoke with several new dads who attended the Dads Orientation meeting and they were blown away by all the testimony shared by all our speakers, as well as the videos that were shown. Our new incoming Chief Roger Winstead "Rolling Rock" made some outstanding videos that were shown. Take a look at them:

"Why Y-Guides?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLNW-XAA-zw

"Patches, We Need Patches"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEwk5MAE088

It looks like we'll be adding a record number of new tribes this year.

We'll also be adding a Guides tribe and a Princess tribe in Durham! I look forward in seeing the program grow in Durham.

Our 1st year dads are now going through their dads' training sessions and getting ready for their 1st tribe meetings. Do you remember your first tribe meeting for your son or daughter? With their empty vests hanging down to their knees?

As the season changes, it'll be only a few weeks before we meet at Fall Outing at Camp Kanata. I can't wait to see all our 1st year tribes there and look forward in leading them to the campfire.

Has your tribe had their dads' planning meeting yet? Do you have your meeting schedule set for the year? Have you planned on any outings for the fall? Have you discussed your tribe's WeBuildPeople donation plans? If not, make sure to start planning for the fall season!

Let's have a great year! Make this year special for you and your child!

How-How!

P.S. - Did you know that the YMCA Y-Guides & Princesses program has a new staff member?! I want everyone to welcome Meredith Stewart "Brown Bear" to the program who will serve as assistant director. I think Meredith will be a great role model for our princesses.