As HN sits at the intersection of business and technology, I will share that I received one of the best corporate yet human Fathers Day messages I’ve seen today from a founder of Brunt (a work wear boot and apparel company whose boots I wear for my DIY projects). I felt an urge to share it but I only interact on HN theses days.

It resonates with me and if you’ve grown a business while raising a family I think it hits more authentic than anything else I’ve seen.

Happy Father’s Day fellas!

Subject:

A Note from the Founder: Happy Father’s Day

Body:

[image of middle aged founder sitting with 2 sons on a tailgate]

My boys and I wanted to wish all the Dads out there a Happy Father's Day.

This year is a special one for me. It's the first year both of my sons can officially wear a pair of BRUNT boots.

Now, my youngest is technically a full size too small for his to actually fit. But he doesn't care, he puts them on and wears them proudly. Seeing them both running around the yard in the gear I've poured my entire soul into changes everything. It puts the last few years of literal blood, sweat, and tears right into perspective.

Knowing there are millions of you out there lacing up our gear every single day - many of whom are Dads - ties Father's Day all together. It connects my why - from my customers, straight back to my sons.

So today, I didn't want to just send you some generic corporate holiday greeting. I want you to know I feel what you feel. I understand the daily grind. I know the toll of the early mornings, the quiet sacrifices, and the heavy guilt we carry when the job takes us away from the people we love.

If this note resonates with you, it's a clear sign that you aren't just a Dad.

You're a great one. Happy Father's Day from my boys and I to you and yours. Enjoy it.

You've damn sure earned it.

En Giroard Eric Girouard, Founder & CEO

Becoming a father transformed my life, which I thought was really rich, into the most joyful experience. Even the more frantic moments are memorable now. The time my daughter spilled her Mom's purse all over the floor (I caught that moment on film), rushing to drop her off at day care and still make the Bart train to work, escorting her from my Cal Berkeley office up to Strawberry Canyon for summer swim classes --- we just re-enacted that over 30 years later, and we were both wondering how I made the hike. It's steep (but I was younger), taking her to a somewhat secret day care in San Francisco when her mom was recuperating from something, quitting my job on the spot after a boss got really scary, on "Take your kids to work" day, showing her how to deal with abuse, and of course, the drives from the Bay Area to San Diego with college gear in the pickup and the 5 story dorm with no elevators. (How can that be?) and so many more thrills.

My Dad was a commercial artist (he did portraits and still lifes at home) and put two kids through college. How he did that still amazes me. He commuted from the north shore of Boston through downtown to Dorchester. What an ordeal that must have been.

I joined the ranks of commuters when I moved to the Bay Area. I'll spare you those stories (for now, anyway)

After the commercial art job, Dad had a succession of jobs. He worked his butt off. I recall his job reviewing trust funds for the state. And then that office closed when the federal government took it over. He did get to see all his grandchildren.

My daughter was too young to understand what I did at my many jobs, but that's actually OK. Kids learn from their time with you, and hopefully, I gave her a good example of integrity and trust.

Seeing how that gift has flourished is the greatest gift I can get this Father's Day, being so far away, but she and her husband did treat me recently to a nice brunch, and of course, frozen yogurt, when I visited.

CIAO to all Dads today.

if i had to tell younger fathers one piece of unsolicited advice: buy arch support for your shoes. Plantar fasciitis seems to creep up on a lot of dudes after they have kids. It's also the worst.

I love to carry my kid but sprinting around while carrying the extra load did a number on the feet. You can largely prevent it just by spending $50 on a proper insole.

My kid is my favorite thing in my life. So tiring, so rewarding. And after a year of wincing walking barefoot, I can finally run again. Don't lose running time with your kid, buy insoles.

Happy fathers day.

Thank you :) It's my first one!

Thank you! My boys are 14 and 16 and I owe virtually all of my joy and success to being a father, husband, and the work required for each.

* to some countries. We don’t all celebrate Father’s Day on the same day and we don’t all celebrate Father’s Day at all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day#/media/File:Fat...

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