“In the Woods, On the Waves, and In the Garden: A Father’s Legacy”

In honor of Father’s Day, this one is for the dads.

There are few things more sacred than a dad teaching you how to survive in the wild—whether it's the woods, waves, or dirt. There’s something quiet and steady about the way a good dad teaches you things.

A man of many hobbies, my dad’s domain is the great outdoors where his equipment of choice alternates between a bow and arrow, a surfboard, and a tractor.

We spent many early mornings when I was a child trekking through woods where he would quietly lead us to the spot where we’d wait on deer to appear. I’d walk behind him through the muddier spots, stepping my smaller booted footprint inside of his larger ones, while he told me all about the trees and the animal prints that we observed along the way.

An avid hunter, my dad has become particularly selective about what he will and won’t kill. Not much of a hunter myself, I have always enjoyed the quiet morning and the sounds of nature. I’d bring a book and try not to turn the pages too loudly. Those are some of my favorite memories as a child/adolescent.

Surfing was his next parenting masterclass.

Nothing says “test your limits” like watching your dad make something so challenging look so easy. As children we spent most of our summers in Mexico where the waves broke perfectly for my goofy-footed dad.

Like everything, learning to surf ourselves allowed us to truly understand the skill behind the sport. That kind of resilience really sticks with a kid.

Gardening, though, was where his legacy truly took root (pun shamelessly intended).

My dad always has a garden – some years better than others. When we were kids, as soon as he got home from work, we’d follow him outside where we’d spend the rest of the day.

In the garden, we slowed down. He showed us how to plant things, how to wait, and how to care. We learned that some things take time to grow, and that tending to something over and over again, even when it’s inconvenient, is its own kind of love.

In almost all my best childhood memories, we were barefoot with dirt under our fingernails.

He was busy planting seeds—both literal and metaphorical.

Through all of it, our dad taught us how to love the earth, how to find joy in simplicity, and how to navigate challenges with tenacity.

His love of nature became ours. It’s in how we find peace in the sound of the waves, how we move toward challenges instead of away from them, and how we look for meaning in everyday places.

These memories aren’t just sweet—they shaped who we are.

And that’s what legacy is all about. It’s not money or titles—it’s the lessons and love that continue to future generations.

Estate planning is part of that legacy, too.

It’s not just about assets—it’s about making thoughtful decisions now so that your values and what you’ve built will continue. It’s a way of continuing to provide guidance, even when you’re no longer the one steering the hike.

A well-planned estate allows you to communicate to your family in advance what is important to you and to simplify life for them when you’re gone.

When you plan with us, we’ll ask you thoughtful questions about your children, your assets, and your goals. We’ll custom tailor your plan based on your family dynamics and what’s important to you. When your plan is in place, you can rest assured that your family is protected and objectives clear.

Plus, planning now saves your family the burden of fighting, time-consuming administrative work, and costly legal processes.

If you’re ready to get started with your planning, schedule your initial consultation here: https://www.mypinklawyer.com/meeting

This Father’s Day weekend, I’m reminded that the best legacies start with love, and end with intention.

Happy Father’s Day,

Amanda Lynch Elliott

P.S. Looking for a great gift? Check out Storyworth! It emails a question per week for a year to your loved one and compiles a beautiful, hardback memoir at the end.