From Happy Graham to Decked Out Dad

When I first started this journey, I created an online space called Happy Graham. At the time, it felt like the right fit—simple, catchy, and inspired by my oldest son, Graham. But as the platform grew, something became clear: people thought I was Graham. (Spoiler alert—I’m not. My name is Andy!)

That wasn’t the only thing that wasn’t sitting quite right. As much as I loved the idea of honoring my son through the name, Happy Graham didn’t fully capture what I wanted this space to be about. This journey isn’t just about one happy kid or one aspect of my life—it’s about the whole, messy, wonderful adventure of parenting, marriage, and family life. I wanted the name of this platform to reflect not just who I am, but what I stand for. That’s why I made the switch to Decked Out Dad.

When you hear "decked out," you might think of fashion—someone looking sharp, trendy, or put together. I’m not here to claim I’m fashionable (my daily dad wardrobe probably says otherwise). But to me, being “decked out” is about something deeper. It’s about striving to be the best I can be in every aspect of my life—not just how I look on the outside, but how I show up for my family, my friends, and myself.

To me, a Decked Out Dad is a dad who’s 100% in. He’s intentional about the kind of husband, father, and person he wants to be. He’s learning as he goes, finding joy in the chaos, and always working to show up better tomorrow than he did today. That’s what this space is about—embracing the imperfect journey of dad life and making the most of it.

With Decked Out Dad, I’m doubling down on sharing content that celebrates family life in all its forms. Parenting isn’t always perfect, but it’s where the best stories are made. My goal is to highlight the real stuff—the wins, the struggles, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, often the hard way.

Switching to Decked Out Dad has brought clarity to my vision. It’s a name that feels aligned with the content I’m passionate about sharing: real, relatable, and honest glimpses into the joys and challenges of being a husband and dad. Plus, it’s way less confusing for anyone wondering why "Graham" wasn’t making a regular appearance!

To everyone who’s been following along since the Happy Graham days—thank you for sticking around. And to everyone just joining the journey, welcome! I’m excited to continue building this space, sharing stories, and connecting with all of you.

Here’s to dads (and all the amazing people who love them) living their best decked out lives. Let’s do this together!