The following memory and short story inspired Episode 22 of the #7minutestories podcast. It’s called: The Nite-Nite Rules. After reading this make sure and give it a listen.
When I was 5 years old my parent’s marriage dissolved. It was then that I made a promise that I would never get divorced because I couldn’t imagine my own child experiencing that sort of pain. That’s why I was devastated when my wife and I separated just after my 31st birthday. I felt like a failure. But mostly, I felt like I was letting down our one year old daughter. A promise was made years ago with the best of intentions but it had been broken…
Although my former wife and I would go on to thrive as co-parents, the hardest nights were when I wasn’t physically there to say goodnight to my little girl. So, I took a stab at another commitment. This time, maybe one that was more attainable. I promised that on the nights my daughter and I were in separate houses, I would call her on the phone at 8pm to tell her goodnight. I want to make sure that she knows I’m always there. To have the comfort of hearing my voice every night before she falls asleep.
I haven’t missed a phone call in 5 years.