Name: Lee Hassan | City: Calgary, AB | @Realprimeexamples
What does being a father mean to you?
As a father – I believe, wholeheartedly, you’re a walking billboard. Advertising to your offspring the tools they’re going to use to build themselves up or tear themselves down – so, as a BLACK father, you better use that power and advertise some dope shit. You’re example sets the course for everything. Set it right.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
A civil war happened in my country that forced my parents to give custody of my brother and I (I was 2 years old) to my aunt – to take us to Canada – for hopes of a chance at a better life. We were reunited when I was 13. Fast life made me move out at 17 and he died when I was 21. At 32, I wish I asked more questions.
My father was a Buckeye – went to school in Russia and Ohio State – he was a talented agriculturalist. He was kind. Valued his nuclear family and always showed up for my mother – who I met at 11. They were together for 45 years.
I am my fathers son. I’m determined to make up his time lost. I’m going to be here for my kids unless the universe tests my family again..
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
I didn’t have much of a reference point. But I did realize that no matter how much you think you’re prepared for it – you’re not. It’s a ride n half. Worth every second.
Heavy decisions are made by our parents all the time that have lasting effects and consequences, my parents stepped to plate and offered themselves in place of their kids.
That’s the plan this time around too.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
I was a street dude for a majority of my life and so the principals are transferrable in many ways.
Hold yours down. Sacrifice. Gang first. Tunnel vision. Etc.
But the habits and coping mechanisms that I had developed really didn’t serve me anymore.
Unlearning and relearning is a journey in itself.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
Treat your woman right.
She’s the plug.
Connect yourself and ride it out, ya dig?
Sacrifice, compromise – don’t break n don’t fold, lol oxymoron right?
It’s not. It makes perfect sense. Read it again.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear Father,
I made a lot of memories of you up in my head but when I learned who you were; fact was way better than fiction.
Z is here. She got your eyes. I got her.
Tks for being solid.
See you in awhile,
Lee
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