Hey Reader,

I just finished the Loire Valley trip, the one with the guest who broke her shoulder.​
She surprised everyone by coming back on the last day. She joined us for the castle visit in Chinon and for the farewell dinner that night. People couldn’t believe it. But it was good to see her there, smiling, finishing what she started.

Now I’m back home, sitting at the café I come to often. The sun is warm. I’ve already changed tables three times to find the right spot. It feels good to sit still for a bit.

This morning I spent time with Cléo. She woke up every hour last night and wanted connection in the morning. She wanted me to spoon feed her omelette, to hug her, to notice her. After almost two weeks away, I think she just needed to know I was there.
I took the time to give it.

When things felt settled, I got on my bike and took a small detour to the café, a longer route, just to enjoy the ride and the morning.

Sometimes I look around and think: I am so grateful for the life I have.

A few days ago, I read an old post by Marc Randolph, the Netflix co-founder.
He wrote that what he’s most proud of isn’t the companies he started, but that he built them while staying married to the same woman, watching his kids grow up knowing him and liking him, and still having time for the things he loves.

He also said:

That line stayed with me.

I want to build something meaningful and still stay close to the people I love.

Maybe my business could be further ahead if I had sacrificed more nights and weekends. But I’ve seen what that trade costs. I’ve also seen how many people start full of energy, burn out, and quit because they never had a strong enough reason to keep going.

My reason has always been clear.
I want to see my daughter grow up.
I want to be close to Aurélie.
I want to build a family that feels like home.

That’s what helps me stay grounded when things move slower than I’d like.

I believe strong families are the ground everything else stands on.
When that ground is solid, everything we build above it lasts longer.

I saw Cléo’s first steps and heard her first words.
I’m around for the small things, and that’s success too. Maybe the kind that matters most.

I’m learning it’s possible to build something that matters and still keep the people who matter close.

Wherever you are on that path, whether you’re just starting, rebuilding, or trying to reconnect, it’s never too late. You can always choose again.

​

One dad figuring it out, same as you.
​

P.S. If you haven’t taken the short self-assessment for dads yet, you can find it here. 44 dads have already done it, and it might give you some clarity too.

See more of my work at rooteddad.com​

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