What an amazing response today!
I’m totally floored by the overwhelming show of support for our family, but mostly for all the men and women in the armed forces and their families. People are really wonderful and it’s so great to witness this firsthand. I hope that more people have discovered the fun and comfort a Flat Daddy or Mommy can bring to families.
First and foremost, thanks to everyone. I’m just a regular chick who has a regular job and a regular family(and an unhealthy cosmetics obsession) who decided to try and keep in touch with her husband while he was gone. The idea grew a little when I added our family, and a little more when I added our friends, and then, well, it looks like it’s taken on a life of it’s own. Life, ha, that’s a little joke there. Get it, because it’s a piece of foam? No? okay then…
I had grandiose plans of responding to each and every comment. As the hit count started rising and the comments were coming in faster than I could approve them I realized that might not be as easy as it sounds. I have a day off coming up soon and I hope to catch up then, so be patient with me and keep those comments comin’!
November 28, 2010
A Year with Flat Daddy 
November 29, 2010 at 10:27 am
Please don’t feel like you need to respond to me, I am sure you are incredibly busy. I read the story about you and your family in Parade magazine and, like many other people, I was touched by what you are doing.
Thank you to you and your family for your service to our country, deployment is a family affair.
December 19, 2010 at 5:33 pm
You hit the nail on the head with that! Deployments have a way of affecting so much more than just the soldier. Thank you for visiting, and for leaving kind words. My kids are enjoying hearing all the nice things people are saying.
November 29, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Hi Marissa,
I’m so glad you’re getting such great responses to the Parade article because we are too! Jenn at the magazine sent me about 50 copies a week ago (because I’m the Flat Daddy trademark holder)and I love the article. If you don’t know who we are, I’m actually known as the “Flat Daddy lady” because 9 years ago I started the free Flat Daddy project to accept donations to provide Flat Daddy or Flat Mommy figures to families who requested one…for free. In 2006 we paired up with SFC Graphics to have them be the “official” creator of them. So far, together, we’ve been a part of putting them into over 9000 homes!! The link on the Parade site links directly to the graphics company. It’s so exciting and I love your blog. When I show Flat Daddy on military posts/bases, I’ve heard people talk about it. I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to hear the impact Flat Daddy had on your life, and how we were a part of it. There’s even a Flat Daddy fan page on my facebook page if you’d like to ever post a picture to share. I response to the Parade article, I’ve received over a dozen donations and 9 requests from families…isn’t that great?
I know this is a long comment, but you’re an awesome example of something good about being a part of a military family. God bless you all and Happy Holidays. – Elaine Dumler
December 19, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Wow, I’m flattered and humbled to receive a comment from you Elaine. You should be so proud of what you’ve brought to families in a difficult situation and the difference you have made in so many lives. It was a nerve wracking experience putting ourselves in the limelight this was, but it has also been truly inspiring to be part of something so amazing and see so much love and support from all over. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
November 29, 2010 at 8:27 pm
I was so touched by your family’s story in the Parade magazine. Thanks to your husband and family for your service to this great country of ours. God bless….
December 19, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Thank you for such kind words and thoughts
December 12, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Hi Marissa,
I’m been reading “Parade” magazine since I was a teenager. So, if I’m too busy I’ll just collect them and read them in date order (the oldest one first). I had accumulated 4 of them by today (Sunday) and since its been a cold and gloomy day here in Tampa, Florida I decided to read them all. I’m a Marine-girlfriend and just love to read anything that has to do with the armed forces so I can then share the articles with him. So I came upon your article and it truly touched me. My boyfriend has deployed 2 times and is currently station here in Tampa as a recruiter, so when he’s finished he might be “deploytable”. So, if that days comes, I will definitely get a “flat daddy” for her since she loves her stepdaddy very much. I did not know these foam boards existed and whoever thought of the idea deserves a metal! I see the happiness that has brought to your family and can imagine the joy it will bring to families of future deploy soldiers who have stumbled upon this article and will make a “flatdaddy/flatmommy” a part of their family while their love one is away. With Love, Grace.
December 19, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I think your version of cold and gloomy is probably a lot different from ours, lol! We’ve done the recruiter thing too, and that can be a hard road on its own, forget deployments! Thank you for your kind words, all our best to you and yours