Name: Joe Cobb | City: Dallas, TX | Instagram: @facinart

What does being a father mean to you?

Being a father is EVERYTHING to me. I had full custody of my two older daughters at the young age of 18 years old… Just a baby myself. Raising them changed my life. It made every decision that much more meaningful. I now have a six year old that I get the pleasure of being the father to. Im implementing all the lessons I learned from my first two. Its such a joy to be a FATHER. I always say IM the blessed one for being their father. This is my fatherhood story in a nutshell.

Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.

My father wasn’t active in my life. I recall seeing him three times in my entire childhood. It’s absolutely what made me become the father I am. Never for the life of me understood how a man could literally leave his children and not be in their life. That boggles the fuck out of my mind.

What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?

I learned that the beginning is not the end. How your children start does not determine how they finish. The best to do is just BE THERE , LISTEN TO THEM, & LET THEM MAKE THEIR OWN MISTAKES… and love them through it ALL.

Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?

My two daughters, whom I had custody of, both became teenage mothers despite my warning, teaching, and guiding them otherwise. Having to continue to raise them as they themselves are preparing to raise a child was very trying. We got through it with lots of prayer, and lots of love.

What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?

Simply, be patient & rule with LOVE not anger. Their start is not their finish, and you have to let them make mistakes as you did as a child.

If you wanted to write a quick note to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would it be?

Dear Father, I forgive you man. I know you are sick with cancer and not in great health… we cant change the past but Im happy we talk more now . I hold no grudges and I still pray for you.