Name: Rico Anderson | City: Philadelphia PA | IG: @ricoandersonofficial

What does being a father mean to you?

It’s my new purpose for living. Being a father defines who I am as a husband, service member, and human being. If it’s not going to make my daughter proud, then it’s not something that should receive my energy. My daughter is my heart and dream in human form.

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

My father was incarcerated for the majority of my early childhood. The type of man that he was then and is now is what drives me to be better as father now. Everything I needed from my father growing up, I’m actively and willingly providing my daughter now.

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

I realized that I have the opportunity and abilities to shape my daughter into an amazing human being who can not only achieve success but also impact the lives of others.

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

Give 110% every single day.

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

Dear Father,

I wish you would have made better decisions in life so that you’d be in a better situation today. I thank you for the lessons learned (good, bad, and ugly).

Name some other fathers you cosign.