She Reached for My Hand

A quiet reminder that the best moments don’t last forever—and that’s what makes them magical

Author

Dad Braids
May 04, 2025

Estimated read time: 2-1/2 min

Hey dads,

The other day, I picked up my daughter from school and as we walked down the street, she reached out and grabbed my hand.

And it stopped me—because it’s happening less.

That used to be automatic. Now it’s not.

It reminded me how fast this season moves, and how these little gestures… they’re actually the big stuff.

So here’s your reminder: soak it all in. Every giggle. Every braid. Every “Dad, watch this!”

This week in the club:

🧵 Braid of the Week

3-Strand Braid Fundamentals

This is the foundational braid in the Dad Braids Club.

Whether you’re just starting out or leveling up—developing (or revisiting) the basics is where real progress happens.

Clean sections, consistent tension, smooth rhythm. Master this, and you’ll unlock everything else.

📚 Book Club

Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri

A Dad Braids favorite—and a total win with the kids.

It’s got clever storytelling, made-up words, wild squirrels, and some of the best illustrations out there.

Purchase here:
Bookshop | Amazon

🛏️ Activity of the Week

Pillow Forts

Simple setup. Endless fun.

Grab couch cushions, a few tall chairs, and a fitted sheet (trust me).

Build together, crawl inside, and let the day slow down a little.

⚡ Reflection

I came across this video of the Barcelona power outage—people dancing, laughing, playing in the street. No phones. Just life.

Of course, blackouts can bring real hardship. But this moment? It hit me.

I’m a millennial—I remember life before screens. And I think we’re all still craving that kind of presence.

How do you handle this in your family? Hit reply—I’d love to hear your take.

📸 Community Highlight

100 Videos!

We hit 100 videos this week—huge milestone for the club.

Thank you for being part of this wild, meaningful ride.

And heads up: our first course, Level 1: Fundamentals, drops Father’s Day week. Stay tuned.

Thanks for being here.

Thanks for braiding, showing up, and building something real.

From my family to yours—

Happy braiding.

—Strider

P.S. Got a question, a dad win, or a total fail you want to share? Reply to this email—I’d love to hear it.