Feeling melancholy - but so grateful

The title says it all. I'm in a melancholy mood. The weekend is here, we have a neighborhood party tonight, and Father's Day is Sunday. But I'm a little blue. Matty only has two days left in fourth grade, and Sophie has two days left in kindergarten. It is all happening too fast.

I wish time could stand still. I wish summer could last for 15 (20?) weeks instead of 10. I wish we could hit the pause button and enjoy what we have.

Sometimes, I will be sitting in the living room watching TV. Mom and Sophie are sharing the recliner (LOL). Matty is on the couch, headphones on, watching YouTube videos or the Red Sox on the MLB app. Charlie is next to me, licking my face. And I try to freeze time, and take it all in. To treasure it.

But it doesn't work like that. Time keeps ticking. 5 p.m .becomes 6 p.m. Friday becomes Saturday.

We can't stop time, guys. All we can do is treasure our time.

 I love you all - Kerri, Matty and Sophie - more than I can ever describe. When I think of all those years I wondered if I would ever find the right person to share my life with and have kids with. And the thought of kids was so exhilarating (and scary) but also far away. Like another planet.

I would say that you are my dream children, but I never dreamed of children as beautiful as you. Yes, you fight with each other and you talk back to Mom and Dad, but I melt when I see you. Matty, you are so smart and inquisitive, and you have gone from a shy boy to an outgoing person who always tell us, or Grammy, "I love you."

 Sophie, you are the sweetest 6-year-old I've ever met. I love your sensitivity, the love you have in your heart, how you never, ever want to hurt anyone's feelings. I feel your pain as  you are sad about the end of kindergarten. I know how that feels. I am experiencing it myself.

 Kerri, we are living the dream. I get sad when we waste a day with a stupid quarrel. I want that day back. I am so lucky to have met you. But more lucky that you were willing to spend your life with me and raise a family with me. We have a beautiful famly.

 I'm sure I will get some nice Father's Day presents on Sunday. And I know it's a cliche to say. But the presents I'll treasure most are the three people I wake up with that day.

 I love you all. Now, let's have the best summer ever :-)

 Love,
 Dad/Jimmy