As we wrap up 2009, we’re looking forward to kicking off our third year. But before we do, here’s a look back at the stories that had the most traffic this year:
1. [INTERVIEW] REAL HOUSEWIFE SIMON VAN KEMPEN
Far and away, this was our most popular story. Is Simon Van Kempen really that big a celebrity? I’m not so sure… but the reality TV star did make a decent splash earlier in 2009, and there wasn’t a lot of other media coverage of him out there. That, and the fact that we added the alternate spelling “Van Kampen” as a tag seemed to help drive traffic to this interview!
2. THE SWINE FLU VACCINE: WORTH THE RISK?
Sure-fire way to stir up controversy: bring up vaccination! Add “swine flu” to the mix, and you had the 2009 perfect storm. The jury may still be out on whether the swine flu was really a pandemic, but it certainly stayed in the headlines most of the year. Dave Baldwin’s look at the pros and cons of the vaccine prompted plenty of discussion, too!
3. When the fine folks who introduced the Roddler announced their tricycle conversion kit and introduced a trailer to go with it, we were all over it. And apparently, so were you. We still love to bring up the pictures and drool over this awesome ride.
4. [RELATIONSHIP] IS YOUR WIFE MAD AT DAD?
This story can be traced back through a couple of stages. First, there was an article in the magazine Parenting. That prompted a discussion in the community side of the website momlogic.com. We encountered and participated in the discussion there, then brought the whole thing here, inviting Cory Huff to craft a follow-up about how you can work to make sure your wife isn’t “mad at dad,” too.
5. COULD YOU FORGIVE A CHEATING SPOUSE?
Also from Cory Huff, this guest post tackles one of those questions we all think we know the answer to… but maybe we don’t. It’s a tricky situation we hope to never face, but some of us eventually do run into this situation. So… could you?
6. [REVIEW] 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC
Just look at that beautiful car… no wonder this was a popular story this year! Note to Volkswagen: we’re still waiting for you to deliver one of these to our front door as a thank you for the coverage…
7. TFL RECOMMENDS: 9 FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS
The most popular holiday at TFL? Father’s Day, of course. This list is also useful for birthdays, anniversaries, late Christmas gifts… you get the idea.
8. MARTIAL ARTS: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR KIDS?
You know why we love this article from Cate Burke? Because it’s great, that’s why. Seriously, though, for a lot of guys, our exposure to martial arts is limited to The Karate Kid and some UFC bouts on TV. Since a lot of kids are interested in taking some form of martial arts, learning a little more about what’s going on and what you should expect is worth it. Hint: don’t expect the kids to come home and wax the car.
9. [FIT AND BUSY DAD] RANKING THE BEST CARDIO MACHINES
The title pretty much says it all… or does it?
10. TOP WAYS TO KNOW YOUR WIFE IS PREGNANT… EVEN BEFORE SHE DOES
A comprehensive list of the signs of pregnancy… if you don’t know them yet, now is as good a time as any to commit them to memory!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
[LUDWIG @ HOME] HOOTERS + KIDS = GOOD IDEA?
Never in a million years did I expect TFL would publish an article with “Hooters” in the title. And yet, we did. And a lot of you read it.
DOES HUMOR BELONG IN MUSIC? FIVE ARTISTS WHO PROVE IT DOES
I could tell you who’s on this list… but that would defeat the purpose of you reading it, wouldn’t it?
Can a guy who goes by the name “The Badass Geek” write a touching letter to a yet-to-be-conceived child? You bet he can. 
Title image: Carl-Fredrik Runqvist
Ben Martin is the CEO of THE FATHER LIFE. He lives with his wife and five children in the Rochester, NY, area.