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Life as a black man in America isn’t easy. Time and time again, history has shown us that our men are devalued, disrespected and stigmatized in the most damaging ways.
As a woman who didn’t grow up having a good relationship with her father, some would expect me to have harsh words for the man that gave me life. I don’t. I’m not mad at him or what he did. I don’t think I know enough about my father to judge his choices. Don’t get me wrong: He made a lot of bad choices. But I don’t know what his personal life experiences were like or how they shaped him.
What I do know is the type of man my husband is. I know that his dad died when he was 7 and that his mom did everything she could to shape him into a good man. I love and appreciate her for that. Every day I see him interact with our two kids, I thank God for blessing me with a man who knows what fatherhood is about. His presence in their lives during these formative years means the world.
So as we approach Father’s Day, we have to take the time to show all the great fathers our there some love. Fatherhood isn’t easy, and the cost for messing up is high, but so many men show up in their kids’ lives and do the right thing daily. They are fully present—impacting their children in the most meaningful ways.
So join us in honoring and celebrating all the fathers in our community who give their children what they need to thrive in life.
Here are nine reasons why we love our dads.
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1) Ready to have a good time.
There are so many things to love and appreciate about our dads, and one of them is definitely his ability to let loose and have fun. Sure, kids want to be taken care of and protected, but they also want memories filled with joy and laughter. A dad who’s willing to laugh at himself and have a good time is a winner in our book.
2) Strong work ethic.
It doesn’t matter what a man does for a living as long as he is doing honest, hard work. So many of our dads put in hours working hard to provide for their families. And although all that working can take away from family time, they do it because they love their kids and want them to have a better life.
3) Ready to protect.
Children who have a strong bond with their dads feel safe when they are around him. Because feeling safe is a basic human need, getting that as a child from the first man you love is pretty incredible.
4) Always encouraging.
Whether a man is encouraging his children or the woman he chose to have them with, an encouraging dad should always be celebrated. By lifting his family up, he is showing them how much he values who they are and what they bring to his life.
5) Ready to fight for what’s right.
A good dad wants to do what he can to create a better world for his kids to live in. We see so many of our dads serving others in countless ways, and it warms our hearts to know that they are not just setting a great example for their kids, but are making a difference in the world.
6) Treats mom with respect.
We just love all the dads out there who are able to treat their child’s mom with respect, whether they are still with her or not. Children need to see the man they love most, respecting the woman they love most.
7) Throws down in the kitchen.
Okay, I know this doesn’t apply to all of the awesome dads out there, but that’s okay. So many fathers are throwing down in the kitchen and on the grill, and their families can’t get enough of it. Keep cooking, dads. We love you for it.
8) Shows up.
Whether it’s a basketball game or a school play, we have to give a shout out to the dads that show up. Being a great dad is not just about assuming financial responsibility. Your kids need to know that you are happy and willing to be present for the moments in their lives that matter.
9) Puts family first.
With demanding careers and tons of other responsibilities to meet, it is important for children to know that dad puts the family first. Family should always come first, and we love every dad who lives by that rule.
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BMWK family, let us know why you love our dads.
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