The rumble of an old Jeep CJ-7 across my grandfather's cattle ranch created my earliest and most treasured memories of him. Those rides became my launch pad for adventure and taught me to appreciate hard work - lessons that would shape everything that followed.

Years later, while serving in the military in Germany, my girlfriend (now wife) gifted me a simple yellow stuffed duck. What started as a sweet gesture became something extraordinary when our first child, a boy, claimed that duck as his constant companion.

Through every family adventure across Europe, Duckie traveled with us. He endured countless washings, emergency re-stuffings, careful stitching of tears, and even survived a crayon incident in the dryer (thanks to his sister's forgotten pocket contents). Each repair was an act of love, each journey another chapter in his story.

Now our son serves in the Air Force - stationed in Germany, just as I once was. Duckie remains with us, his adventures temporarily paused but his legacy very much alive.

When the rubber duck movement emerged in 2020 - strangers gifting ducks, dashboards adorned with smiling companions - I couldn't help but think of our seasoned Duckie and all his miles of memories. That's when “Destin The Dashboard Duck” was born: a picture book series about a duck who overcomes her fear of leaving the dashboard to discover that life's greatest adventures happen when you step into the unknown with a friend beside you.

Dedicated to our children and to anyone who needs a reminder that courage grows stronger through acts of kindness and friendship.