Name: Devante Allen | City: Baytown Tx | IG: @Thelifeof_Vante

What does being a father mean to you?

Being a father to me means being a light for someone. Helping them see and seek the understanding of love and knowledge. The fortunes and misfortunes in life. Another chance to give love and an example of how to love. And a responsibility to teach and also continue to learn.

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

My experience with my father molded my parenting 100%. Most may say it’s a typical black American dad story, being that my pops’ was incarcerated a lot while I was younger because of his involvement with distributing drugs. And even though it put a dent in our relationship, it helped mold me to be the man and father I am today. To understand how important my presence is. How important my involvement is. I never lacked love from my pops’, but there was a void there because of his absence and I feel I missed out on a lot because of that. I pride myself in saying I’m 100% present for my young queen. Instilling every ounce of knowledge and love possible.

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

Understanding what the lack of presence can do for my daughter. I make sure I’m 100% present for her in every way she needs me to be.

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

Ain’t no manual to it. Everyday is different, but being present is what’s most important. Love, learn and teach consistently. Good energy is contagious

If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?

Dear Father, thank you for everything. I don’t you understand how much you impacted my life growing up. You’ve helped molded my mentality in a great way. We may not see eye to eye with everything, but I think there’s beauty in the struggle, and every day is another day to get better. Love and appreciate you.

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