The Knot's Been Tied!

CONGRATULATIONS Stephanie and Audrey!

My oldest daughter got married this past weekend, Saturday June 21, at the Oceanview of Nahant in MA!

It was a magical wedding!  The weather cooperated and was beautiful, the events all went off perfectly without any glitches, both brides were stunning and everyone truly enjoyed themselves!

Most of the wedding party stayed at the luxury landmark InterContinental Boston hotel located in downtown Boston on the waterfront -

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum was directly next door to the hotel.  You could see the visitors reenacting throwing boxes of tea overboard -

The Night Before Welcome Party, on Friday night, at the Bostonia Public House was great! It was great to see everyone and mingle.  The food was absolutely delicious and the drinks were tasty and cold -

Father of the bride, that's me!  My boutonniere -

The flower bouquets held by the brides and bridesmaids, then used as the table center pieces were beautiful -

View of the brides, with their photographers, looking down from my daughters suite on the 10th floor -

The nuptials on the ocean was perfect!  The driftwood altar adorned with wedding flower and the ocean backdrop was also perfect! Kate (KB), a friend and fellow Sacred Heart alum, officiated the wedding.  The nuptials she wrote were terrific and SO creative, capturing both brides love for sports - WELL DONE KB!

Another beautiful touch, the brides acknowledged the family members who are no longer with us, both during the service AND with a special table setup at the wedding hall with pictures of each -

There was a very cool, unique yummy espresso martini bar following the dinner -

A memorable one-of-a-kind espresso martini each adorned with the brides pics -

YES THEY ARE!

Class from beginning to end -

The wedding was made even more special by having close family and friends to celebrate with.

I couldn't be happier and more proud!

Stephanie, you've grown into an incredible woman - strong, kind, compassionate, and full of grace.  I'm SO proud of the life you've created and the love you've chosen.  Marriage isn't about perfection, it's about choosing each other every day, through the easy and the hard, with laughter, patience, and faith.

Know that no matter where life takes you, I will always be cheering you on!  All my love 💗!

Residual Damage

I came across the below article this morning, which touches on how "grey divorce" reshapes family dynamics and how fathers are more likely to lose touch with their children.

I've read this a half dozen times already, each time brings tears to my eye, and I will tell you, from what I've experienced, this is sadly true.

I've been struggling with the "why" but need to stop beating myself up and accept it for what it is.

 😢

        Divorce is always messy – you have to think about finances, living arrangements and of course, the kids.

But when it comes to older couples going their separate ways, fathers are more likely to lose touch with their children, a study suggests.

There has been a growing trend in recent years for 'grey divorce', when couples in long-term marriages split after the age of 50.

Now, researchers have studied the impact this has on their children.

Scientists analyzed data on 9,000 individuals, focusing on the frequency of contact with their parents, emotional closeness and the provision of support – and how these were affected by the occurrence of a grey divorce.

Divorce is always messy – you have to think about finances, living arrangements and of course, the kids. But when it comes to older couples going their separate ways, fathers are more likely to lose touch with their children, a study suggests 

They discovered the effects vary significantly depending on the gender of both the parent and the child involved.

Firstly, the study found that grey divorce generally leads to a decrease in the frequency of contact between adult children and their fathers.

On the other hand, there was an increase in the frequency of contact and in emotional closeness with mothers.

The researchers also found the consequences of divorce were generally more pronounced in father-daughter relationships, which experienced greater declines in both contact frequency and emotional closeness compared to father-son relationships.

Meanwhile, mother-daughter relationships often showed a strengthening in emotional bonds.

Zafer Büyükkeçeci, from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany, led the research. 

He said: 'Fathers tend to experience greater post-divorce strain on parent-child relationships compared to mothers.

'Reasons for the disparity could be that traditionally, mothers often maintain closer bonds with children.

'Adult children might even strengthen ties with mothers to compensate for the loss of a spousal confidante.

'Studies also show stronger emotional and practical support for mothers later in life.'

He also said that fathers may lose their 'kin keeper' role after divorce, leading to increased social isolation.

A 'kin keeper' is someone who assist family communication, plan gatherings and help the family keep in touch.

The study, published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, reads: 'Health, wellbeing and social integration of older parents is strongly linked to the presence of a partner in the household and to intergenerational solidarity from adult children.

'The rise in grey divorce could undermine both of these critical resources, as older people who separate not only lose their partner but may also damage relationships to their adult children.

'Our central finding is the contrasting impact for mothers and fathers. A grey divorce tilts adult child solidarity towards mothers and puts fathers at a higher risk of social isolation.'

I'm NOT Making This Up, Honest!

Here is a a text exchange I had with my (teenage) daughter the other afternoon.  

Let me set the stage because it's important -

This was on a Tuesday afternoon; a Tuesday afternoon during school April vacation week

She went out to breakfast, well really brunch, with friends, late morning

Ran an errand to Target

Returned home and squirreled herself away in her bedroom for the rest of the day

Below text is sent to me (I'm w@h an in living room working)

The topper was when she finally came downstairs, a bit disheveled, as we were just about to start eating our dinner - the above referenced chicken...

OMG!

Emilie Anne "Barbara" Frye

Emilie received her Confirmation from St. Mary Parish!

Her older sister, Stephanie, was her sponsor who flew in from Chicago.

A lovely service, followed by a fantastic diner at Luciano's in Wrentham.

Except for the torrential rains we got caught in leaving the church and arriving at the restaurant, it was a great night.  I had all three of my girls to myself.

My congratulations to Emilie Anne "Barbara" Frye.  I'm proud of you! 

To be physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

I was puttering in the garage and basement this afternoon.  Still have quite a bit of "stuff" that I relocated here from my folks house.  Trying to make sense of it all and some decisions on what to do with it.  After reminiscing, this item went in the recycling bin.

Came across my old Boy Scout handbook from back in 1975.

Also, appears that I wasn't too fond of being a Boy Scout.

Hmm, who knew...

HBD Son

Happy Birthday Christopher!

My College Graduate

My oldest graduated with honors from Sacred Heart University's (SHU) John F. Welch College of Business the past Sunday!

Seems like only yesterday I was moving a nervous Freshman into the dorms.  Four years later she's a beautiful, confident young woman with endless possibilities and set to embark on the next chapter in her life.  

I'm a VERY proud dad!

Congratulations Stephanie!

SHU Senior Day

SHU Senior Day @ Campus Field

4:00PM Friday, November 1, 2013

 

Sacred Heart University vs Siena

 

This years team has only (3) seniors: #6 Jen, #15 Stephanie and #32 Melinda.

 

Emilie and I took off from Franklin at noontime and headed to Fairfield, CT.  We arrived early and walked around the SHU campus; it was a beautiful day.  Although, SHU lost 2 - 0 it was a memorable game being that it was senior day.  Emilie and I got to walk Stephanie out on the field in front of everyone before the game. A very special moment indeed.  We spent some time with Stephanie after the game then headed home.  It was a long day, with a lot of driving but SO worth it getting to spend time with two of the loves of my life!!

 

Stephanie's a senior this year; graduating in the Spring.  NO idea where the four years have gone?!?!

 

http://www.sacredheartpioneers.com/sports/w-fieldh/2013-14/releases/20131101385tp4

My 2013 Softball All-Star

 

Emilie was voted by her teammates to the 2013 softball All-Star game!

 

Way to go M, CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm Proud of You!

 

Congratulations to my son Christopher who was selected to the 2013 Lacrosse Bay State Conference 1st Team All-Stars!  The game to be held at Harvard stadium Monday, June 17 @ 7:00PM.

 

He set a new WHS lacrosse record with 65 goals scored during this past season alone!  Also, voted Most Valuable Player by his coaches and received the award at the team banquet this past Tuesday night.

 

Quite the accomplishments!

2013 WHS Graduate

 

Congratulations to my son Christopher, a graduate of the class of 2013!!

 

Onto the next chapter in your life...

She's Leaving On A Jet Plane...

 

My oldest is off to Ireland for two weeks!

 

She departed from JFK airport last night at 8:40PM.

 

That's her second from the left.

 

Enjoy, have fun and be safe!

WOW! Where Has The Time Gone...

 

Happy 21st birthday to my oldest!

 

Be careful and be safe!

 

I LOVE you!

#12 - LAX Captain and My Son

My son was elected one of the captains for his high school varsity lacrosse team this year!

With 12 games played he's already scored 44 goals and 10 assists!!

There are only 5 games remaining in the regular season and he needs only 18 more goals to break the all time WHS record for most goals in a season with 62.

He's been determined, focused and working hard, so it sure would be nice to set a new school record and leave his mark as he moves onto college next year!

Back To School Fall 2011, Child #2

After a weeks delay due to Hurricane turned tropical storm Irene, Emilie starts 4th grade today!

She surprised me this morning and came downstairs half asleep to see me off to work and give me a hug. She was SO adorable. She has NO idea how that hug alone made my whole day. I am a VERY luck dad!

Again I ask you where has the time gone?! It wasn't too long ago that she was just learning how to crawl. Can she really be 9 (going on 16!) already?!

Have a good first day of school Em!

Back To School Fall 2011, Child #1

I just received (8:23am) a text message from my oldest daughter that read, "Left like 15 minutes ago".

Summer's over! She's off and driving herself back to college - Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield, CT., soon to begin her sophomore year.

It seems like only yesterday, with curly locks and a new back pack in place, that we were taking first day of school pictures while waiting for the elementary bus to arrive. Where has the time gone?

I Support SHU Field Hockey!

Go "HEART"!

Sacred Heart University (SHU) Field Hockey!

It's Official My Oldest is a Pionner!

A Sacred Heart University Pioneer that is...

Tuesday August 10, 2010 drove my oldest daughter to college! She's a freshman, attending Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She is also playing for their field hockey team, #15!

Although, classes haven't official begun, the athletes are required to be on campus almost a month ahead of time, as they need to prepare and get ready for the season. So there will be practices and meetings and practices and practices and more practices. It's been about a day and a half and the text message I received from Stephanie this morning read, "Pain! So much pain!".

I don't know where the time went. How can I be dropping my daughter off at college already?! It seems like only yesterday that she was tooling around the yard with her baseball cap on with curls running around the sides. Am I really that old (not old as in old but old as in I have an 18 yo daughter starting college old)?

It was very emotional (for me anyway). It was a a BIG day for both of us. She's starting of a new chapter in her life and I couldn't be prouder.

Why Didn't I Come Up With This Idea Darn It!

Silly Bandz, they're the Cabbage Patch Kids/Pokemon cards/Beanie Babies of 2010, egads!

Pulled from their website -
"The hottest new fashion accessory - Kids everywhere are going wild over Silly Bandz!! These colorful Animal Rubber Bands (Silly Bandz) are made of silicone and die molded in many different fun shapes. These rubber bands return to their original shape when you take them off the item they're holding (or off of your wrist). Pick from Zoo Animals, Pets, Fun Shapes, Sea Creatures, Dinosaurs, and our newest Holiday Pack! Comes in a pack of 24 assorted colors and shapes, Collect them, Wear them, or Trade them with friends."



and they're causing a rukus in schools everywhere. Many schools have banned them from the classrooms. Just do a Google search of, "silly bandz banned" and you'll see for yourself.

Anyway, this is a picture of the Emilie's latest acquisitions. Another collectible to add to her Frye-hoarding sickness. At least these can be put to use when the fad passes, unlike the previously mentioned items that are not only useless but also take up space. Now, where did I put my pet rock...

Congratulation Daughter-O-Mine!

My oldest daughter has graduated from high school, class of 2010!

She was voted the "Outstanding Female Athlete of 2010" of her class. The award was chosen by the high school faculty and staff. She was awarded a very nice trophy, which was presented to her during the graduation ceremony.

She's attending Sacred Heart University (SHU) in the fall, class of 2014 and moving on to play Division 1 field hockey for the Pioneers, #15.

I couldn't be more proud of her!