March’s Dad of the Month is Jeff Cole! Enjoy Jeff’s story below on what being a dad means to him. Thanks for being such a great dad Jeff and thanks for being willing to share your heart and your story for the rest of us.

Jeff Cole - March Dad of the Month!

One thing I knew when I found out that I was going to be a father for the first time was that I didn’t know the first thing about being a father. I never really had any kind of good example… other than my Mom, but she wasn’t my Dad. Plus, I was just a big kid myself.

Once I consented to the idea of having a baby, my wife was very excited to start trying. I was excited for all the practice attempts. She said most women can take up to six months to actually get pregnant. It took us exactly one practice attempt. Now I was on the roller-coaster of pregnancy and trying to wrap my brain around the fact that a little baby was going to be my responsibility until I died. I smiled with the purest joy. I cried a little too… but I definitely smiled. I was going to be called Daddy.

Now, what the heck does that mean? My father was an abusive drunk who only showed up when his (our) money ran out. He did show up later when he met different women whom he tried to impress with his “I’m an awesome dad” routine. My brother and I knew the difference. Our mother was home working two jobs and trying to keep two boys off the streets. She disciplined us. I used to try to stuff football cards
in my jeans pockets to lessen the blow. She saw the square lumps and aimed right below. She set aside time to take us to the shore for the weekends. She told us she loved us but most importantly she showed us. She was as consistent as she could be. So, I think I learned the most about being a dad from my mom.

Jeff’s kids Isabella & Jude

My turn. My daughter, Isabella, is about to turn 5 and my son, Jude, is turning 2 this weekend. All of my fears have turned to pure joy. I can’t imagine my life without them ransacking it. I am a horse they ride on. A jungle gym they climb on. A punching bag, a swing-set, an art project. “Watch this daddy” or “DADDY’S HOME!” are the sweetest words I have ever heard. My greatest joy are their smiles. My greatest daily moment is when through the house we hear one of them shout “FAMILY HUG!” and that’s what we do, no matter what we are doing. The three women in my life and my one little man have made me into the thing I never knew…a Daddy.

I took my boys to the local chain bookstore last Saturday morning. It’s turning out to be a bit of a ritual for us. I couldn’t help but notice that it looks as though it is becoming a Saturday morning ritual for more and more fathers. How cool it was for me to look around and see nothing but dad’s with their kids. Dad’s of all shapes, sizes and ethnic backgrounds sitting and reading books to their kids. Dad’s roaming the isles with there kids trying to find the title of book that will jump out.

A change is happening! I am happy to say that I am a part of the evolution of men taking the time to spend time with their kids. I call these moments heroic because our kids will be the better for the time we spend with them and they will cherish every moment.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what you see when you are out.

Cheers,

Gabriel