Meet Joel Searby, Dad to Evan (13) and Lydia (10) and Husband to Jen
Where do you work and what do you do?
Jen and I own and run Sycamore Lane Vintage Market in Newberry. We have a brick and mortar retail store in Historic Downtown and also host large seasonal vintage flea markets on our rural property between Jonesville and Archer.
What are some of your goals with it?
Our vision is to use our businesses to build community and bring people together. We love hosting events, giving people unique experiences and telling stories. Our tagline is really the heartbeat: It’s not about the stuff, it’s about the stories.
What is the most rewarding part of being a Dad?
The most rewarding part about being a dad for me is watching my kids develop their own sense of character, values and vision for their lives. Even at 10 & 13, I’m starting to see their strengths and talents emerge and that’s really fun. And when they make good decisions about how to treat people and help make the world a better place, that means so much to me.
What is the hardest part of being a Dad?
Sass and Laziness. HAHA! What parent doesn’t deal with this from their kids? If you don’t please call me and tell me your secrets!
What gets you up in the morning?
Knowing that God loves every human and we get this amazing life to know and love each other, no matter who the “other” is – that enriches and gives purpose to my life every day.
What makes you laugh?
Chris Farley. Man, I miss that guy.
What has been the biggest life lesson that you have learned being a parent?
Play the long game. Sometimes life, and parenting, is really hard in the moment. Thinking about preserving your long-term relationships will help us make good decisions now – which often just means being patient and holding our tongue.
What is your parenting mantra?
Raise healthy adults, not well-behaved kids.
How do you balance it all?
For us, it’s less about balance and more about boundaries. We guard our Sundays very closely as a total day of rest, fun and relationships. No screens on Sundays. Lots of family and friend time. Great food and laughing. We also follow the old, seemingly boring mantra, “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” We’ve not yet got the wealthy part, but we do go to bed no later than 10 p.m., and usually more like 9 p.m. in our house, and I’m up by 5:30 a.m. every day.
How do you relate to other #BossDads?
I get biscuits at Maple Street every Friday morning with some of my closest friends, most of whom are dads. We talk about parenting a lot and it’s always great to know you’re not alone.
What is some advice you have for other #BossDads trying to balance it all?
Stay grounded in what matters most, every single day. This means making time to be quiet and not just rushing into your day. I find that taking an hour of quiet every morning – to think, pray, meditate, journal, read – really centers my day and reminds me what matters. I can’t recommend it enough. It takes commitment, but it’s worth it.
How have you had to change/pivot parenting/schooling since COVID-19?
In the early days, when everyone was home together, we just reshaped our daily routines and did a lot of them as a family, which was wonderful. Since school has been back in person (our kids are both at brick and mortar) we’ve tried to keep at least some of those routines, especially family dinners together.
If you could have any superpower to help parent your kids, what would it be?
A power-up button for when I’m exhausted and they want to play basketball or frisbee and all I want to do is sit on the couch and drink a beer. 🙂 You want to play with them, but it’s hard to get motivated!
What is your go to meal at home that you cook? Can you share the recipe?
A ribeye on the grill from local ranch Quincey Cattle at the Newberry Farmer’s Market. Season it with ONLY salt and pepper, sear it at high heat then cook to medium. Serve it with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus and a bottle of Chilean Carmenere Red Wine.
What do you do for YOU on a weekly basis?
I try to spend time with at least one friend each week in some way – fishing, working on my 1978 Ford truck, grabbing a beer, coffee or breakfast. Being with my friends, talking about life, recharges me.
JOEL’S FAVORITES
GO-TO STARBUCKS DRINK
Dark Roast, black
FAVORITE GAINESVILLE RESTAURANT
Satchels
FAVORITE MOVIE
Saving Private Ryan
FANTASY DINNER PARTY GUESTS?
Chip and Joanna – teach us your ways!
TYPE OF BEER?
IPA, especially Jai Alai from Cigar City in Tampa
FAVORITE THING TO EAT
Steak
SOUNDTRACK PLAYING IN YOUR HOME
Classic Country – John Prine, Willie Nelson, Dolly, Johnny Cash
FAVORITE THING TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS
Travel
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