The Dear Son, Network

My Dad Chose Me

2022  |  UNRATED  |  1h 4m  |  SPECIAL  |  EDUCATIONAL

My dad chose me. This is a perspective that many of us never had to consider. However, many men decide to fill a biological gap for one reason or another. Sometimes it is due to the intentional absence of the birth father, the intentional actions of the birth mother, and a host of other reasons that aren’t germane to this episode. Instead, we celebrate the courage and commitment of my wife’s father to ensure she had a present and accountable father throughout her life. LaKisha (Kisha) is the oldest of three children and grew up in a modest household with both parents in Hampton, VA. Her fatherhood story begins just a couple years after birth. Her mother and father knew each other from high school, but their love story began years after, also after Kisha was born. While it isn’t clear exactly why her birth father wasn’t around, she made it abundantly clear who her father is. He saw enough in her and her mother to make the investment beyond marriage and adopted Kisha at a very young age. She recalls with fondness the quirky things that her father did to create meaningful experiences for the family, and also touches on how she didn’t always feel like she fit in. Kisha and her father share the bond of adoption as he was adopted at an early age as well. This gave him a unique, personalized insight on what is important to a child that didn’t have a biological parent in their life. He was her protector, advisor, counselor, and pastor at various stages of her life. As life often does for most of us, Kisha’s firstborn (our oldest) entered the world in somewhat similar circumstances. We discussed those challenges and how they impacted our family along the way. This conversation gave me a new perspective of my life partner, and I’m beyond proud and honored to share a portion of her story with the world. I hope this blesses you.