Name: Disha Lee City: Atlanta, GA | @_dishh4

Dad’s Name: Kevin Little

Describe your relationship with your Father and how did that impact you?

My story is more so on the bad end so hold your chair. My dad killed my mom when I was 5. I ended up living with his mom after everything happened. It was terrible. I went from a 3 bedroom apartment with my 4 siblings to a small mansion on a golf course with my granny her husband and just me. I grew up with all the essential tools to be successful except for the most important one. No love, no nurture. So to sum up how it’s impacted me, it’s been hard work. But here we are and I’m proud as hell of myself. The good the bad and the ugly I’ve accepted who my dad is and and give thanks where it’s due. Helping create me and teaching me how to navigate through life at a young age making me hulk strong. It’s given me a reason never to give up on myself bc that’s not an option for me. I can’t fail so I don’t make it an option. I’ve always looked at it like if I don’t try I can’t be. I can’t I won’t even be able to exist. How will I eat, get to work, pay my bills if I don’t get up and try? It’s made me extremely independent. It was harder when I was younger but I’ve gotten my grip on life pretty well now. So in all our relationship has made me a stronger individual.

What’s the best thing you’ve learned from your Father?

How to be a good person. As cliché as it sounds. His actions has impacted me in ways I couldn’t imagine. One bad choice shaped the rest of my life. I understand you get what you give. You put out good it’ll return back to you. My dad being so horrible taught me that I want to be the exact opposite.

What struggles did you face in your relationship with your Dad and how did you get through them?

My biggest struggle I’ve had to face with my dad is happening right now currently. I’ve always known my mom wasn’t here because of him but all the details on what and why have always been a lie. As of February 2020, I found out what really happened. I got a copy of some police records. Come to find out my dad and his mom have been lying to me this whole time about the everything. How I’m jumping over this hurdle is understanding. Understanding my dad is who is he and to meet him where’s he’s at. I know he’s not going to change so I have to deal with the lemon I’ve been dealt and still make this lemonade. I’m starting to journal out my thoughts more so it helps me release a lot of my feelings. I think releasing is good when you’re trying to move on from something or even to gain more peace it’s a healthy way for me to vent.

What has your relationship with your Father taught you about what to look/not look for in your partner?

My relationship with my father has taught me not to ignore the red flags. People don’t just wake up one day and become horrible. A bad person isn’t made over night. It’s taught me to pay attention to how my partners treat others, especially the ones he closest to. Our relationship has taught me that even if you fall and make the biggest mistake it’s how you get up. I look to see how a man handles challenges, does he stay down or rise to the occasion? Its took my to pay attention to how people make me feel and what kind of person I am around them. Do the bring out the best in me, do they challenge me for the better?

How has your relationship with your Father shaped the woman you are today?

If it wasn’t for my father committing the ultimate betrayal to me I know for a fact I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. For that I do thank him. Even in his absence it’s shaped me being a better woman. It’s helped me learn how to be filled with love so I can spread to others that may not feel so good inside. Bad things happen to good people because we know how to handle it. God gives his strongest soldiers the toughest battles and I appreciate every lesson learned along the way.

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

Dear Father,

Thank you for giving my this life. It’s been rough but thank God I’m tough. Thank you for not being there because honestly you didn’t deserve to be. Thank you for teaching how to love myself because it starts there. I wish you well..