This past Friday the latest movie in the Twilight series “Breaking Dawn” was released to theaters.  Like all of the others the first showing was the night before at 12:01 AM.  That is the time I like to go and see these particular movies.

For someone who doesn’t like waiting in lines or being in huge crowds that may appear a little odd.  Since the movies are geared towards the current teenage generation a 40-year-old man may appear out of place.  However, I look forward to going to each one of these movies at that time because my daughters do.

They think it is special to get to stay up until 3:00 AM on a school night because of the release of one of their favorite movies.  It is a rare treat for them.  For me it is getting a chance to spend extra time with them and a way of creating positive memories.

Over the years I have taken them to a lot of movies.  Some have been good and some were just ok.  I am sure as they get older they will remember going to the movies as a child and teenager.  But the experience they had going to most of the movies will probably be forgotten.  Not the ones that were special though.  Definitely not the ones were they got to go at 12:01 AM.

I also use this as a way to teach them that they can have fun but must still take care of their responsibilities.  Even though we get home late and they don’t typically get to sleep to around 3:00 AM they must still get up in the morning and go to school on time.  Forgoing their responsibilities because they are tired from having too much fun is not an option.  They have never been late or unable to go to school due to attending a late night movie with me.

This past week friends of mine at work told me they could not believe I was going to see this movie, especially at that time of night.  It was not something they would be willing to do.  I understand why they feel that way and I respect their opinions, however I wouldn’t miss it.

When my children are older I want them to remember that I valued my time with them and that I was willing to go out of my way to do the things that they enjoy just to be with them.  Sometimes that takes being creative and having to do things a lot of fathers would not.  But that is ok because my kids are worth it.

Our children grow up way too fast. We must do our best to spend time with them and create positive memories worth cherishing. For them and us.