Real Men of AP: Pre and Post Parent
Submitted and written by Kevin’s wife, Natalie
Sending a shout out to my Husband, Kevin, who is a walking example of an attached parent pre- and post-parent. The two of us first met through mutual friends when we were both 21 years old; I was a single mom to our daughter, Amelia, who was two years old at the time. Over the next nine months, our friendship grew through mutual interests and ideals. Amelia was three years old when we officially started dating. With no father in Amelia’s life, Kevin and I eased very slowly into our relationship and we always put Amelia’s well-being first. During that time, I didn’t live in the best neighborhood for sending Amelia to a public school so over the next three years, while Kevin and I were figuring things out and finishing our own education, Kevin contributed every month to Amelia’s tuition and my rent so that Amelia could go to a private school and so that Amelia and I could live in a nice apartment. The three of us would go on family vacations, spend holidays together, enjoy Friday night movies, attend school activities together, etc., but we didn’t live together until we were married. When Amelia was six years old, we got married! At our wedding, the two of them said Father-Daughter Vows to each other and Kevin has been Dad to Amelia ever since. Our Honeymoon entailed the three of us travelling to Disney World for a week; it was more of a “We became a Family!” celebration.
Now, Amelia is 10 years old and has the most amazing bond a daughter can have with her father. He is always present to talk with her, help her, guide her, play with her and show her new and exciting things.
We now have a new addition to our family, Leyna, who just turned one year old. Kevin supported me and was fully on board throughout my pregnancy with my wishes for a Midwife and a Doula. He has supported my journey with breastfeeding and encourages me and Leyna to continue our nursing relationship. He even worked two jobs, Paramedic by day, Flower Deliverer by weekend, so that I was able to stay home with her for the first year. Now, I work two days a week and he stays home with the girls while I’m working and he loves it; always doing his part around the house while he is home.
Kevin also manages to have time for one of his favorite hobbies: brewing beer! Who doesn’t love beer?? Kevin has been a home brewer for the past seven years, and with every batch he has ever made he has involved the kids. Amelia is his second hand in his brewing rituals. He has made beer specifically in honor of the girls in the past. For Amelia he brewed a Peach Lager and named it Amelia the Peach, and for the birth of Leyna he brewed a Hoppy Amber Ale which he named Hopped Up Newborn.
I am so happy I am able to acknowledge my husband and what an amazing dad he has become. He is a Real Man of AP and I love him more and more every year!
If you would like to submit someone to our “Real Men of AP” series, please send submissions to info@iamnotthebabysitter.com.
