11/13/2025
A month ago, I was outside watering the ferns on our front porch. Amelia was sitting at the kitchen island, and when I peeked through the window and knocked, I waved and she waved back at me. In that simple moment it hit me—she’s a sophomore in high school, and in just a couple of short years she could be off to college, moved out, or not at home as much. This journey of parenting goes by so quickly.
Then on Tuesday when I dropped her off at school, the same thought came to me again. Next year she’ll be driving. And one of my favorite parts of the day is our drive to school—those short seven minutes we get together (or fifteen minutes if Amelia wants 7 Brew). Every morning before she gets out of the car, we pray. It’s a small routine, but it means the world to me, and it’s a part of our journey I never want to take for granted.
Years ago, we had a sign in our kitchen that read, “One day you’ll look back and realize the little moments were the big moments.” Standing there watering the ferns and watching Amelia wave back through the window, that quote felt more true than ever.
Being her dad is the greatest honor of my life. I pray for her, love her deeply, and thank God every day for the story He is writing for us. My clients often tell me they are where they are because of what they’ve been through, and I believe that. Our own journey has taught me the same thing.
If someone had told me years ago that when my daughter was 15, I’d be running a slime studio with her, counseling upstairs at Journey Through Slime, counseling in Bentonville, Arkansas, and navigating life as a single father, I never would have believed it. But God has directed every step. Genesis 50:20 says what the enemy meant for harm, God can turn for good. And I love how God takes a mess and turns it into a message, how He makes life more beautiful than you could ever imagine. We are living proof of that.
Our life is beautiful. Imperfect, but beautiful. And I am so thankful for Amelia. She loves people deeply, and I always tell her: if you’re loved by Amelia Bolin, you’re loved well.
I love taking her and her friends places, laughing with them, watching them grow, and seeing who they’re becoming. They’re fun. They’re good. And they’re worth the journey.
As we enter this season of gratitude, I just want to remind you to be present. Notice the little moments. They truly become the big ones. And if you’re a parent reading this, I hope you’re encouraged to slow down and soak in those moments—you won’t regret it. Even when life doesn’t go the way you planned, God still knows exactly what He’s doing on your journey too.
I am accepting new clients at both of my South Main Street locations…Joplin, Missouri and Bentonville, Arkansas. Give me a call if you need HOPE on your JOURNEY!
417.553.8000
-Travis Bolin, LPC 🍋