A letter to Sunny and Story
On Tuesday I announced that I’m returning to CNN in a new role, Chief Media Analyst, which means I will be appearing on TV; developing digital content; and helming the Reliable Sources newsletter. (The letter will officially relaunch on Monday, September 9, so if you’re not on the distribution list yet, sign up here!)
Tuesday also happened to be my 39th birthday. Jamie got us a cookie dough ice cream cake to celebrate:
Here’s something I wrote for the kiddos about my next career chapter…
Sunny and Story—
I started to compose this message while we were in Ocean City, Maryland on our annual end-of-summer beach vacation. I told you that I'm probably going back to work at CNN and you, Sunny, asked why. While you were sleeping in the other room, I decided to write down the answers.
When you two were babies, I was on TV and on my computer a lot. Probably too much. I loved my job but I wasn't always good at balancing work and family. On the bright side, we lived just a couple of blocks from the CNN office, and you could see me on TV when I was busy. You both gave me strength without even knowing it.
Sunny, I remember taking you to work with me, before dawn, on one of the most difficult days I had at CNN. One of the most beloved figures at the network, Anthony Bourdain, had died, and I had to write his obituary with only an hours’ notice. I looked at you blissfully asleep in your stroller, dreaming sweet dreams, and I tried to write a story that would make Anthony's own daughter proud.
As for you, Story, I remember doing a live shot from the living room late at night, and talking so loudly that I woke you up! You wanted to stay up and play, but I had to soothe you back to sleep before my next TV hit.
That's why the last two years were so special: We played and played and played. When I lost my job at CNN, I gained a better job as your stay-at-home-dad.
Do you guys remember those first few weeks in the summer of 2022? We had just moved out of New York City, and we found so many fun new playgrounds and parks near our new house. We invented new games like Train Race and new traditions like Cinnamon Roll Monday. We played Mario Kart before school and picked up Rita's after school. We even visited mom's TV show a few times! And we got to spend time with Nana before she passed away.
In the hours when you two were at school, I authored a book and wrote magazine articles and took care of our farm. I thought about launching my own company. I tinkered with a couple of ideas. But nothing felt right until CNN called a few weeks ago. Why? Because I miss my friends there, just like you both miss your classmates from last year. I loved being part of a team.
So I'm rejoining my old team – but here's what I want you to know. I'm still going to be home in the morning no matter what. I'm going to be Class Dad again this school year. And I’m going to turn off the news when you want to play Nintendo on the living room TV. It’s all about balance!
–Love, Dad
I also sent a letter to Reliable Sources readers to Tuesday. Check it out. And click here to get on the list!