Dickinson,

One of my core values is relationships. I had an opportunity to strengthen my relationship with Stella my daughter.  

We recently moved houses.  On the Wednesday before we moved, Stella was sad with the change and how much she was going to miss the house.  Stella also pointed out that we never camped out in the backyard.  She has never camped before.   I'm not sure she even likes camping or if she even knows if she likes camping.

Fast forward to Friday November 16th in MN.  Stella was at service night at school and I decided to set up a tent and get a fire ready for when she got home.  The moving trucks were coming at 8:00AM the 17th.  As I was setting the tent up it was 19 degrees and snowing.  I kept thinking this is a lot of work and we are MOVING tomorrow, but I kept at it.  Blew up the bed, heating pad, extension cords to the house, space heater, 2 sleeping bags, 10 quilts/blankets and stocking caps.   Did I mention it was snowing and was going to be 10 degrees overnight? 

Stella arrived home and I had her look outside and she saw the tent.  Her face lit up and she started jumping up and down with excitement.  She ran outside with no coat as she could not contain herself.    My son - "Cool, you are crazy."  My wife had a similar response.  Stella was ALL IN.  Lit the fire, we climbed in and I left the door open so we could see the fire.  

I thought she would last 2 hours.  We both feel a sleep with the door open watching the fire.  At 11:30pm I shut the door and touched her nose.

Stella:  "Dad, what are you doing?" 

Me:  "Checking to see if you are cold."  

Stella:  "I'm toasty." 

Me:  "You want to go in?"

Stella:  "NEVER!"  

We woke up at 7:00am.  She stretched and said, "This was the best nights sleep I have ever had."

This is an experience with her that I will remember forever.  As I was setting up, I kept saying why am I doing this, we have so much going on.....  The result was 110 times the effort.  In a sense, I'm glad I didn't "listen to the story I was telling myself" or my adult judgement and just went with it.  

For her, she has been telling everyone about it and brings it up every other day.   Big impact on her and made the transition to the new house a bit easier.   I'm hoping this memory will be something she remembers when the "parents are lame" phase kicks in.  I feel congruent in my walk the talk practice.

A few pics attached.  The fire is our view from inside the tent.