Kidnapped: Jon Lucero, step-father of 3 girls and husband of Stacy Pyle
Kidnappers: Daughters Shaylin, age 14, Alyssa, age 11, & Taylor, age 9
As his former high school’s new recruitment coordinator, Jon Lucero seemed to be feeling pressure all the time. Enrollment is important for any school and Jon was doing his best to fill the classrooms…but at a price. However, Jon felt obligated to be there for his former school. When he was young his father passed away from stomach cancer and his school stepped up to be there for him. Sadly, this same school was taking Jon away from his own kids…no longer allowing him the time to be the goofy, fun-loving dad. His job doesn’t ask it of him, he just felt passionate about giving back.
As the family sits at the table set for four (there doesn’t even seem to be a chair for him anymore), Jon headed out the door. Coming from a close family, I know that when someone is missing from the table…it is felt. Clearly this was the norm for the Pyle Lucero family being that Jon was working 12 hour days, 7 days a week. Sadly, the more time Jon continued to give to his job, the less time he had for his family. This was causing a huge problem for his family and marriage. The kids hoped that by kidnapping their dad they would be able to glue their family back together….preventing it from falling apart. The plan? Take dad to the Santa Monica Pier where there is a trapeze school. They just had to get working to put their kidnapping in motion.
They went to speak to Jon’s principal of the school, Patrick Lee, to see if they could get some help. As they explained how their father never stops working and they really needed the time, Mr. Lee agreed. He organized an opportunity to capture Jon in the new weight room. With the plan in motion, the family went home to write letters to Jon explaining how they felt. As they raced around and worried a bit about his reaction, Jon headed off to work.
The girls successfully ambushed him and poured their hearts out with their letters. Worried they were missing vital time together, concerns for their parent’s marriage, feeling neglected and stressed over whether or not Jon was going to be a part of their family….Jon felt horrible. With a reminder from his wife, it all seemed to be sinking in for Jon. As he turned over his technology, Jon just had to go with it.
Driving off with his girls, Jon reminded the girls of how he lost his father at 12 and shared he didn’t want to miss out on time with them. WOW, that was fast. He seemed to get it pretty quickly. I was so happy to know that he was trying to understand how they felt. Once they arrived at the pier, they popped the surprise on their dad….they were going to be taking part in the Trapeze School of New York – right there on the pier! Being a sport, Jon didn’t disappoint his kids.
Day 2 the girls took him shopping! And where did they head? Cheryl Fudge Fashion Camp where they could make one-of-a-kind items they would be able to showcase on the in-store runway. Taylor feeling a bit left out…again. But what did it take to get him into it? Put him on the runway! Ultimately they all had a good time. Once home, Jon relinquished him computer and remote control. No problem. Jon was already in family mode.
Next on the agenda was date night for Jon and Stacy. All dressed up, they headed out to a nice dinner. As they talked, Jon shared he knew once the letters were being read that something needed to be done. He then asked “did you have any clue that the girls were feeling like we might not work this stuff out and we get a divorce” to which Stacy let him know that it was getting that bad. THEN, when she asked what he may be implementing to make sure it doesn’t go back….Jon said “my job is fine. I can handle it”. Trying to stay focused on the positive, Stacy can’t help but feel concerned about what is to come.
For the first one-on-one, Alyssa took her dad to see a psychic, Wendy Allamby. Telling his daughter to always dream big and that great things were coming her way, the psychic then turned her attention to Jon. Discussing his loss of his father and letting go of pain, Jon felt a bit more at ease. Then Taylor chose to practice soccer with her dad. She was desperate for some one-on-one time with him, she finally opened up about needing more. He simply told her that you have to let me know what’s going on and tell me when you need me. Then Shaylin pulled the crazy out of her dad….by sumo wrestling. With sumo suits and a ring in the backyard, Shaylin was able to break down a few walls. “I’ll know you will always be there supportive-wise but if you’re actually going to be there in person, that’s what I have a hard time knowing for sure”. Shaylin shared that if things didn’t change that her mom may have to make harder decisions such as divorce. Jon reassured her that he and her mom didn’t want that. It is clear that it is time for some adjustments.
On the final day, the family wrote new letters and shared them with each other. Jon realized he needed to “be in the moment with the family”. With the love and support of his family, he realized now that the void left by his father can be filled with his family….not work. There is no doubt that Jon loves his family and that they all love him. Hopefully with some balance, their family will thrive!