When Craig Saucier isn’t jumping out of an airplane, you can find him spending time with his friends and family, especially his two darling daughters. He may work in real estate, but he is a professional in creating fun and experiencing adventure. Though he has skydived over 3,000 times, he gets his biggest rush on date nights with his wife and family fun with his girls. Craig’s life is anything but boring, and he works to make sure he and his loved ones live with passion.
How did you meet your wife?
C: I sold her dad a house. We were selling her dad’s house, and I saw a picture of her, and thought, “Dang, I have to meet her.” I went by their house for him to sign something, and I met her at a family party. I asked her out for coffee, and we talked. That night I told my mom I found the girl I was going to marry.
Tell me about your children.
C: Quinn is my mini-me. She is super athletic and in gymnastics. She’s my one who is very determined. Emmi is like Amy. She can go anywhere and light up the room. She makes people happy no matter what. They get along great together. I love my girls.
Three words to describe yourself?
C: Consistent, adventurous, passionate.
How do you like to spend time?
C: Doing anything awesome and finding new adventures with the family. People get caught up doing the same thing. I never want to make life monotonous or stagnant.
Most recent proud parenting moment?
C: Quinn wants to run with me every now and then. She was going to run a whole mile, and we made it a half mile, but she tripped and fell. She scraped her knees. We walked it off, and then she said we had to start over because she didn’t do her whole mile.
Last dad fail?
C: Amy was gone for two nights, and I cooked Tombstone pizza for the girls two nights in a row. I added bacon to make it different the second night.
How do you keep it all balanced?
C: Amy and I work so well as a team. We help each other, so that it’s not all on her or on me. We are very much in sync in supporting the other one. We keep it fun with the kids, and they know their boundaries.
Greatest thing about being a dad?
C: Moments when you see the work you’ve put in or the things you’ve taught them come to fruition. For my girls, I am a real life superhero. That’s pretty cool.
Favorite spot around town for date night?
C: Anywhere by ourselves.
What’s something parents shouldn’t feel guilty about?
C: Date nights and going on a trip without the kids. Having a good marriage is important for your kids. As a dad of daughters, I want to be the husband who they will want one day. I want to treat Amy like she is my queen. The way I help her is what I want them to expect.
What good habit do you have that you would like to pass on to the kids?
C: Being determined. When you want to do something, do it and be passionate about it. Always try to have adventure and love life.
Hardest thing about being a dad?
C: Being selfless. Whenever you want to chill, but you know the kids need your attention so you just have to get up and do it.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
C: I am terrified of needles.
How did you react when you found out you were going to be a dad?
C: Nervous, but very excited. We waited five years so we were ready.
What’s your parenting style?
C: Involved. I want to be involved in every aspect of their lives. We bring them to gym, we talk to them about school. I want to be the dad who they can talk to about everything.
What’s one piece of advice you often give your children?
C: We always tell them that it’s not about the outside, but what’s on the inside. We try to instill in them that the way we treat each other and putting others first is what makes you beautiful.
How has parenthood changed you?
C: It’s made me more self aware because they see everything I do.
If you had 24 hours all to yourself, what would you do?
C: I would try to find some kind of really cool activity like go to Houston and do indoor skydiving or go learn something new.
What advice would you give to other parents?
C: Put down your phone and be involved with your kids. So many people try to discipline their kids, but they don’t spend real time with their kids and they don’t love on them or play with them. They act up when they want attention. So many parents are so focused on themselves and social media that they don’t do stuff with their kids. Do life with them.
How did you get into skydiving?
C: My dad and I were playing golf when I was a senior in high school. I heard an engine cut off and saw a skydiver jump out. I knew I wanted to do it. We went that same day to see what I had to do. We set it up for that summer. I was hooked. It’s an endless learning curve. The best guys in the world still haven’t touched what’s possible. There are so many different disciplines in skydiving. When I competed, I competed in canopy piloting. I competed in the 2010 World Championships on the U.S. team in Russia. When you get a passion like that, it’s so interesting the people you meet and the places you go.
What does skydiving teach you about life?
C: It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or who you are, it matters what type of person you are. It’s such a diverse sport. You can have something in common with everybody. It’s freedom. Skydiving has also been my number one ministry.
Do you expect your girls to follow in your passion?
C: I don’t really want them to skydive, but I’m fine if they do. Whatever they’re doing, I want them to do it the best they can.
Do you consider yourself a daredevil? And what has that taught you about parenting?
C: I am a calculated risk taker. I do daredevil stuff, but I don’t do something until I’ve looked at every angle. Most people would think I’m crazy for doing it, but I know the consequences. I think it’s great to take risks, as long as you are taking the right risks. Anybody that is successful takes risks. It’s okay to fail, but you have to learn from them. ■
