Lunchbox has recently decided that Bobby needs what he’s calling a “dadchelor party," not the pre-wedding kind, but a last hurrah before the baby arrives. According to him, once a child comes into the picture, life changes so much that a final trip with the guys becomes necessary. He insists it’s not like the traditional bachelor party, where someone celebrates before marriage; this is different. It’s about one last chance to do whatever they want before a tiny human starts controlling the schedule.
He even had a detailed plan in mind: a sporting event out of town, a few rounds of golf, a quick visit to a casino, and ending the night with fruity, alcohol-free cocktails. He imagined an exotic trip, something difficult to reach once a baby is involved. The catch? Everything he was suggesting had already been done many times before. Pre-baby trips, golf, games, and even Vegas excursions had all been checked off for Bobby. The idea of recreating a “last hurrah” now felt unnecessary, since it wasn’t something truly missed.
Still, Lunchbox argued that fatherhood changes everything. Once a baby arrives, casual outings become complex affairs, no spontaneous trips to a friend’s house or quick runs to the store. Each small task involves getting the baby ready, packing supplies, and planning who will watch the child. Eddie agreed that it suddenly becomes harder to just step out, and admitted he hadn’t realized how involved parenting would be until he experienced it firsthand. He thought it would be simple, especially since his own father hadn’t been hands-on. Suddenly he found himself preparing bottles at 2 a.m., cleaning tiny brushes, and navigating countless appointments, all while learning that raising a child is far more demanding than anticipated.
Scuba Steve shared a different perspective, having grown up without a father. For him, fatherhood wasn’t a shock because of the work, but because of the opportunity. He was thrilled to be present and involved, experiencing all the moments he never had as a kid. He admitted that even though he was extremely involved with his first child, from doctor visits to sonograms, he still wished he could have soaked up even more, because children grow up fast. One moment they are a newborn, and the next they are in school with their own personalities, interests, and independence.
As the conversation continued, everyone started defensively explaining how much time they spent with their first child, while the question of the bachelor party lingered in the background. In the end, it was clear that a pre-baby “last hurrah” wasn’t necessary. The experiences, trips, and memories had already been made.