Name: Kevin Taylor | City: Cary, North Carolina | IG: @Kountryboykev
What does being a father mean to you?
Instilling core values, morals, and dignity. To love unconditionally. To be that support system, protector, provider, that shoulder that can be cried on or that ear when certain things need to be talked about.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
My father wasn’t always in my life. He and my mom divorced when I was 6 years old. I’m fortunate enough that me and my dad had the “Talk” on his porch about why he left over a bottle of henny! He told me his side because growing up in single parent home you only hear the mother side. I forgave my dad and for the last 10 years our bond is stronger than ever. With that being said that experience taught me despite what others say form your on opinion and move on. Don’t let the past dictate your future.
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
To just be there and be present. Show unconditionally love and support regardless of what anybody else thinks or say about you because at the end of the day it’s about the bond that you form with your children.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
It’s not really an obstacle but my 6 year old son junior has autism. He is non-verbal meaning he is not at a speaking level where he needs to be. We had him in speech and occupational therapy but covid hit and stopped everything. I just wanna have a conversation with my son just to see how he feels, what’s on his mind, hell we can talk about anything. It gets hard sometimes for me and my wife because we hardly ever get a break or time to ourselves. Being that my son is non verbal we can’t trust to many people with him because if something happens he can’t tell us. Other than his speech delay he is a normal kid. I love my son to death because On my worst day he can do something to make laugh or smile.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
My advice would be to appreciate the woman who gave birth because she is pushing a whole human out of her body. For new fathers just embrace all the moments and don’t be afraid of fatherhood because your instincts will kick wether you know it or not.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear father I know you wasn’t always there for me in the past but it was never to late for you to be there for me in the future. Despite what anybody said about you I formed my own opinion about you. I’m just blessed that we had the opportunity to build that father son relationship and we didn’t let past situations define our bond. I just want to say thank you for not giving up on me and yourself. being there for me when I needed you the most. I’d rather have you around now than not at all. I just want to say I love you pops!
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