Across the Acres: What are some of your memories of being a dad?

Nathan Brown

St. Cloud | Stearns County

Tell us about your family. My mom, Carla, grew up on a family farm near Nelson, and my dad, Al, grew up in Benson. I have been married to my wife, Stefanie, for 24 years. She is a corporate and estate planning attorney in St. Cloud. I have two amazing kids — Abby, 20, and Andrew, 17. Abby is a junior at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She just got back from a semester abroad in the Czech Republic, where she visited 15 countries in four months. Andrew is going to be a senior at Tech High School. He is enjoying his high school life with baseball, football and friends and is exploring college options for next year.

What are some of your fondest memories of being a dad? Overall, it has been great to watch them grow up and see all the steps from being a baby to self-sufficient young adults. I was able to coach my daughter in basketball and my son in baseball and basketball when they were younger, and many of my best memories were time spent with them and teaching life lessons through sports.

How do you try to set time aside for your kids? I have been blessed to have a job and boss where I work really hard but have the flexibility to be active in their lives (coaching and attending games, traveling, etc.). We have also been able to blend hobbies and family time, so I get to spend a lot of time on my hobbies with my family.

What is a lesson your dad taught you that you are trying to teach your children? There are a few, but the top one is that it is important to work hard at everything you do. Currently, that is them working hard at school and their sports. Eventually, that becomes working hard at their job and raising a family, doing it to the best of their ability.

What would be a perfect Father’s Day gift for you? I really don’t need any “things,” so just spending time together would be the perfect gift.

What is your favorite activity to do as a family? We all love to travel and have been lucky enough to get to do a lot of it. We enjoy the planning of our next trips as well, and that always leads to some good, quality family time. Even when the kids are busy with their activities and friends, they will always spend time with Mom and Dad to plan our next adventures.

John Soderholm

Willmar | Kandiyohi County

Tell us about your family. I come from a close-knit family. My parents, Harvey and Luella, were very supportive and really close. We enjoyed spending time together doing activities, playing cards and games and celebrating birthdays.

What are some of your fondest memories of being a dad? I have watched my children grow up to be amazing parents.

How do you try to set time aside for your kids? I do my best to check in with them and make sure that they are all doing well. My wife, Susan, and I are blessed to have our family so close. Our son, Eric, lives in Waconia, and our daughter, Jennifer, lives in Willmar. They stay in touch with us throughout the week. We need to get family updates as often as we can. We are also so very blessed to now have our granddaughter, Allie, back in Minnesota. We celebrate family as often as we can.

What is a lesson your dad taught you that you are trying to teach your children? My father always used to say that consistency is the real key to success, and that belief has shaped the way I approach my family. However, the most powerful message he told me was to make sure you spend time with your Lord and Savior because you’re going to need him on your journey of life. I have asked him to please wrap his blanket of healing around my family, and I have been blessed so many times. Another important lesson is to treat others, including animals, with compassion and understanding. Consider their emotions and seek to understand their points of view. Acknowledge and apologize when you make mistakes. Be a positive role model. Discuss your values and why they are important to you and empower your children to make their own decisions.

What would be a perfect Father’s Day gift for you? The best gift is to have them here sharing the day together.

What is your favorite activity to do as a family? There are way too many to write about, but we purchased three recreational vehicles during our time together camping as a family, and the memories we have made and are still making are nothing short of amazing.

Josh Harstad

Alexandria | Douglas County

Tell us about your family. I have a blended family. My wife, Stephany, and I each brought a child into our family when we married, and then we decided to have another one of our own, totaling three children, all of them girls. Each girl is different. I would definitely say the youngest is the loudest and most spirited of the three. The oldest, Taylor, 21, is the strong-minded one who is determined to make it on her own and was ready to start her life the minute she turned 18 and graduated. She has a 1-year-old son of her own named Braxton, making me a grandpa at the ripe old age of 40. Next is Madison, 17, a senior in high school and the most responsible young lady I’ve had the pleasure to stepfather. I’ve been involved in her life since she was 1. The curly-haired little blonde girl I knew then has truly grown up to become a kind-hearted, do-anything-for-you type of person. She exhibits class and poise, both of which she learned from her mother. Last but definitely not least is Hailey, 7. She is the firecracker of our little family and keeps us on our toes. She is involved in all the activities — dance, hockey, gymnastics, soccer and anything else she might feel like trying at the time — which keeps us very busy. She is full of personality and big emotions, which are challenging at times but very rewarding at others. She loves to play and be a kid, and I could not be prouder of who she is. That goes for all my girls.

What are some of your fondest memories of being a dad? I would say my best memories are when I get to see my girls succeed. It doesn’t matter what or how small an accomplishment might be; there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your child figure out life as they grow. True joy comes from when they help each other out and get along while doing it. A father’s heart is never fuller than when his children work together and love each other.

How do you try to set time aside for your kids? For me, I look at it through this lens: Time is the only thing we cannot create more of, so therefore, I always try to be present when opportunity presents itself, whether it’s stopping for donuts on the way to school as a special treat or turning off whatever you are doing when your teenager finally is at home for an evening and you can have a conversation. Always trying to be available and showing up for things is what I strive for.

What is a lesson your dad taught you that you are trying to teach your children? Learning to forgive one another. Forgiveness is not about letting someone else off the hook or giving them a pass for their actions or behavior. Rather, forgiveness is something you do for yourself so you don’t have to walk around in shame or harbor feelings of resentment toward others. For many people, learning to let things go and move on is a hard thing to do. I want my kids to know that life is short and we are to live it abundantly in love and forgiveness. Walking around with unforgiveness in your heart will rob you of the joy in life.

What would be a perfect Father’s Day gift for you? Honestly, gifts for dads, I think, are easy. What dad doesn’t like a new BBQ grill, a new golf club or a new tool of some kind? Those are tangible things that will make any dad smile. I would love it if all my kids would join me at church on Father’s Day Sunday. That would make my day.

What is your favorite activity to do as a family? That’s a hard one. Because of the age gap between the girls and my oldest having a family of her own, we don’t get to spend a lot of time together. We do like to hit the water in the summertime and enjoy the outdoors. Taking walks together on the trails is a favorite in our household. I would also say having a family dinner once in a while and getting everyone together is special for us as well.