My truest of true loves turns 4 today. In years past, I recounted how fast time flew by and how wonderful it was to see her make the strides she has made. Every year, around her birthday, I look at old photos of her. Most of the times I browse my photo library, I also look back one, two, three years ago to the day and see what she looked like. Even when she was just a few months old, I could see how “grown up” she looked, especially while sleeping. We would see the “Future Twilli” when she was asleep. Now, when she sleeps, we see the “Baby Twilli.” When she is awake, she looks so small, but sprawled out and asleep on the bed, she looks so huge.

It’s very clear when we decided she would be referred to as “Twilli” online and Ariana in person, but it’s a little fuzzy as to when Twilli became her de facto name. While Ariana is a beautiful name, it’s a little strange to hear it and even stranger to call her Ariana. When I’m mad at her, I still call her Twilli. One of my co-workers sounded disappointed when I told him it doesn’t say “Twilli” on her birth certificate.

On her 4th birthday, I am going to do something a little different than what I have done in years past. This is my first letter to you.

Dear Twilli,

If you are reading this, you probably found your way here via Google. I hope I don’t embarrass you too much. After all, fathers of beautiful girls by default embarrass their daughters to no end. It is my sworn duty to embarrass you, scare off unworthy suitors, and keep you on a path that’s true and good. You might think I’m an old fuddy-duddy, and I’m OK with that. As a matter of fact, I am a bit of a fuddy-duddy. You won’t catch me being an absent father, off re-living my adolescence (or continuing to live it) like many men do. Just ask your mom about her dealings with PapaStan. I’m sure your friends will also agree that their fathers embarrass them too. See, now you have empirical evidence.

It was obvious from day one that you possess a strong will. I cannot change that, nor would I ever want to. That is what makes you Twilli. You do not always obey me, but I take comfort in knowing that when the situation calls for you to be steadfast, you can stick to your guns and not let anyone take advantage of you. I’d rather you have a little too much grrr than not enough. Your “double fire” disposition will serve you well in life if you channel it the right way. Remember to do right by you, me, your mom, and the world. There’s an old book that your grandma and PapaStan love very much. I don’t read it as much as they do, but there’s some good advice in there.

Love,

Dad

That’s right, 21st Century Dad is doing our very first blog contest with a little help from State Farm Insurance. As a State Farm Insurance policyholder (my State Farm agent, Josh Ellis is awesome!) and a believer in having fun while staying safe, this is a natural fit for 21st Century Dad. Summer is almost over, and we’re all getting in our last hurrah before Labor Day.

What do you have a chance to win? A $100 gift card from Home Depot.

But first, the real meat of the post. As you know, I always try to bring real value in my content, and safety is important. None of my readers are candidates for the Darwin Awards. Summer is almost over, but the need to keep your family safe is never over.

Some of you may be planning one last road trip before school starts. Or you may be embarking on a road trip to drop off your child at college. Did you check craigslist for deals on microwaves, mini fridges and futons back in May? You’ll be out of luck now. May is the time to score those deals. College kids going home for the summer want a lighter haul, so that futon will be cheap or even free.

This blog’s life, and Twilli’s started in Florida. Summer safety tips apply year round. We used to enjoy poolside Christmas with 85 degree weather. Safety never goes out of style, and never becomes irrelevant.

Here are some additional tips from State Farm:

• Summer Driving Tips
• Summer Maintenance for you Home

The Prize

A $100 gift card from Home Depot

The Qualified Entry Process

• 1 entry: A comment sharing your favorite summer safety tip
• 1 entry: Liking 21st Century Dad’s Facebook page.
• 1 entry: A Tweet mentioning my blog and the contest (must be non-consecutive tweets but tweet as much as you want each day)
• 3 entries: A link back to this blog post and contest
• 5 entries: A guest post on 21stCenturyDad on family safety tips

The Deadline

Contest entries will be closed at 11:59:59 pm the day after Labor Day, September 6, 2011.

The Prize Delivery

The gift card will be delivered to any US address via USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. The gift card is issued in $US. Excluding entrants from outside the US or where it is not practical to shop at Home Depot is not meant as a slight. It is a matter of pragmatism. Why enter to win something you have no use for?

The Winners

The winner will be selected at random since multiple entries are allowed. To ensure fairness, a handful of people closest to me are ineligible to win, but still welcome to promote the contest. They know who they are. Contest entries by anyone related to me by blood, marriage, or W2 form (employees of Guitar Center in Knoxville TN) will be disqualified. I don’t think there’s a way to game the system and manipulate entries, but if such a scheme is ferreted out, you will be disqualified.

Winner Notification

The winner will be notified by whichever means of contact provided. You will have 3 days to respond and claim your prize. Please check your junk/spam email folders. I have to know where to send you the prize.

The Prize Acceptance

If no response is given within 3 days of the prize notification, an alternate winner will be chosen by the same method.