Happy Father’s Day! I'm always a bit torn on Father’s Day for a few reasons. It is a great day because we get to celebrate and lift my love Christian. It also often falls on the weekend of my sister’s birthday. I’m torn because of my relationship with my father. He passed away years ago but I didn’t have the relationship that one would want with their father.
When Christian and I got married, it was important to me that he not only want to be an engaged father but want to raise a child that would often not be considered of mixed race or biracial but black. I didn’t want to bring a child into the world without him have a supportive Dad. He assured me that yes he not only wanted a child but one that was from me a black woman. He understood that this child would be black and that it wouldn’t be easy. This was backed up by the fact that he had a Pinterest page that was all about being a dad. At the time we met he had been dating but no near serious enough to settle down and start a family with. It was a great surprise but also extremely sweet that he had a Pinterest page dedicated to wanting to be a father.
It didn’t have the easiest delivery with Johan. I was diagnosed with Pre-Eclampsia which turned into HELLP syndrome. Extremely scary times; I’ll write another post on that entire experience cause its quite a story! That was my first experience with Christian where there was a hint for systemic racism. The one thing that I took away from that situation was that I had a rider…I had someone that was going to support me no matter through the scariest, toughest situation.
When we decided to move to Europe, I wasn’t sure how we would all cope with the move. We knew it would be hard, and it was. However at every turn Christian tried to ensure we were comfortable, happy, and taken care of. He made it a point to find Johan a school in Rotterdam before we arrived. When we decided to buy a home in Amsterdam in late November 2019, Christian went on all the first visits to the homes to vet them. When we closed on our home (late January 2020) and got the keys, Christian sprung into high gear to make sure when we moved that our apartment would be set up when we arrived. He also did the research and found Johan’s school in Amsterdam. Most recently during social distancing of COVID-19, Christian shined as a dad. I train Salespeople for a living and that means I am leading training or in meetings a lot. Christian took care of Johan with a huge smile all while working from home. Each of these situations was stressful but above all Christian puts Johan and me first.
Now everyone knows there isn’t a rock I won’t uncover for my loved ones but the reason Christian is so special is that he insists I put myself first. When I say I want to work out he pushing me to get it done. When I wanted to start this blog, he kept reminding me to get it done. Time and time again he is not just my Ace, my partner, my support but Johan’s rock and the most amazing father!
We live in uncertain times. Deep injustices to black people globally (#blacklivesmatter), there is this monstrous virus that is STILL killing folks every day, a very important election coming up in the United States. However, today I celebrate Christian, Happy Father’s Day Papa, we love you!
Happy Fathers Day Christian!
Happiest of Father Days, Christian!