#22: 'I Can't Go All That Time Without Her' (Part 1 of 2)

Scott sang to his daughter Sophia before she was even born. One of his favorite songs was Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind." In the anxious moments after Sophia's birth, when her mother needed medical attention, Scott took his crying newborn into his arms and began singing that familiar tune. Within a few notes, she stopped crying and looked up at him.

For Scott, it was an extraordinary moment of connection and a sudden realization of the enormous responsibility—and joy—of being a father.

In this episode, I reunite with Scott, my high school newspaper teacher and one of the most influential mentors in my life. We explore a remarkable family story that begins with heartbreak and uncertainty, develops into an unconventional international parenting arrangement, and ultimately reveals what's possible when people refuse to let their differences stand in the way of loving a child.

When Scott and Kathy separated while Sophia was still a toddler, they made a commitment to remain equally involved in their daughter's life. They continued attending therapy together to strengthen their relationship as co-parents, spoke positively about one another, and worked to preserve the stability and love Sophia had always known.

But through an unexpected turn of events, Kathy fell in love with Davy, a longtime friend who lived in Vancouver, British Columbia. His family business kept him firmly rooted in Canada. Kathy wanted to build a life with him, but Scott couldn't imagine being separated from Sophia for weeks or months at a time.

The solution was extraordinary, and you'll hear Scott's remarkable family story beginning with this episode.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation about fatherhood, family, sacrifice, accepting help, adapting to the unexpected, and discovering that love sometimes asks us to rewrite our plans.

Stay tuned for Part 2, when Scott takes us through Sophia's later school years, her graduation and adulthood, and the twists and turns that continued to shape their family and the extraordinary relationship they share today.

Sincere thanks to Lee Williams for his fantastic production of this and every episode of Perennial Pen.

In this episode, we explore: How Scott and Kathy approached their separation and how they continued to support Sophia

The unexpected international adventure that unfolded when Kathy fell in love with Davy, who lived in Vancouver, Canada

The family's unusual two-week travel arrangement that allowed Sophia to spend substantia