Dad Deserves It All: Celebrating All Father Figures
For Father's Day, we're celebrating all the father figures in our lives who have been there for us every day. Today, we salute three different fathers, each sharing with us what fatherhood means to them. Read more below.
Ariel Foxman & Brandon Cardet-Hernandez
Ariel Foxman | @arielfoxman
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
While life with a preschooler is definitely louder, busier, and more rousing than life without, I can also attest to a newfound calm that is both grounding and satisfying. Knowing what matters makes everything more manageable.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told before becoming a father?
Establish deep-grooved wellness and fitness routines that you can rely on later when fatherhood inevitably leaves you scattered and exhausted.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Love, laughter, and Lego.
Lastly, what is the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
Time spent with our son, Cielo, and time spent with my co-father, Brandon.
Brandon Cardet-Hernandez | @brandoncardet
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
It's always changing because parenthood is always changing me. My ability to put down roots, my relationship with ambition, my understanding of my own childhood, and my willingness to accept help have all transformed as a parent. But I guess, more greatly, I see people differently. I spend so much time learning about and appreciating the child I have, that I find myself seeing the child in others.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told before becoming a father?
Your days of listening to your own music in the car are numbered. And it's sad.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Equal parts teacher and student. The most profound practice of love. A recalibration of purpose.
Lastly, what’s the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
No hierarchy on gifts. It's the thought that counts...
Danny Wakefield | @dannythetransdad
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
Since becoming a father, my life has changed in such profound ways. I'm more present and at peace in my body than I've ever experienced. Part of that is because now I have this tiny human who is looking to me to show them the joy of living their true authentic self, and how to feel their feelings and then move through them free of shame. I'm now constantly modeling to another human how to set healthy boundaries and as importantly, how to accept the boundaries of others. But also, it's even more important now that I show Wilder how to stand in their power, no matter what society says.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told prior to becoming a father?
One thing that I wish I had been told prior to becoming a father is just how much fear I will have around keeping another human being safe in the world. I don't ever want anything to happen to Wilder and I feel like I'm in a constant state of examining every environment and situation to make sure that it is safe for Wilder, but I do it in a way that is almost primal and unconscious. It's pretty amazing actually, but also quite exhausting, and well, I'm just getting started.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Fatherhood is absolute unconditional love and support.
Lastly, what’s the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
The best gift that I've ever received for Father's Day is the miracle baby that I've always dreamt of having, and getting to do it in my own authentic way.
Jocko Graves | @jockograves
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
My life has changed immensely since becoming a father. Once Basel was born, I could no longer live for myself - Basel gives me newfound purpose and shapes my understanding of what it means to leave a legacy. My moves are driven to ensure that I set my son up for success, supporting and guiding him on whatever path he chooses in life.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told prior to becoming a father?
I wish I was told of how postpartum (depression) affects both parents, I wish it wasn’t such a taboo point of discussion. Remaining present and caring through the peaks and valleys of this illness can be both exhausting and painful - especially given how ill-prepared we can be in facing this reality.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Fatherhood is remaining present for my child; nurturing, loving, being a positive and honest light in their life.
Lastly, what’s the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
The best Father’s Day gift I received was my first - a collaged mug designed with images of my son and I. Basel gave it to me on my first Father’s Day.
For Father's Day, we're celebrating all the father figures in our lives who have been there for us every day. Today, we salute three different fathers, each sharing with us what fatherhood means to them. Read more below.
Ariel Foxman & Brandon Cardet-Hernandez
Ariel Foxman | @arielfoxman
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
While life with a preschooler is definitely louder, busier, and more rousing than life without, I can also attest to a newfound calm that is both grounding and satisfying. Knowing what matters makes everything more manageable.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told before becoming a father?
Establish deep-grooved wellness and fitness routines that you can rely on later when fatherhood inevitably leaves you scattered and exhausted.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Love, laughter, and Lego.
Lastly, what is the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
Time spent with our son, Cielo, and time spent with my co-father, Brandon.
Brandon Cardet-Hernandez | @brandoncardet
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
It's always changing because parenthood is always changing me. My ability to put down roots, my relationship with ambition, my understanding of my own childhood, and my willingness to accept help have all transformed as a parent. But I guess, more greatly, I see people differently. I spend so much time learning about and appreciating the child I have, that I find myself seeing the child in others.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told before becoming a father?
Your days of listening to your own music in the car are numbered. And it's sad.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Equal parts teacher and student. The most profound practice of love. A recalibration of purpose.
Lastly, what’s the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
No hierarchy on gifts. It's the thought that counts...
Danny Wakefield | @dannythetransdad
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
Since becoming a father, my life has changed in such profound ways. I'm more present and at peace in my body than I've ever experienced. Part of that is because now I have this tiny human who is looking to me to show them the joy of living their true authentic self, and how to feel their feelings and then move through them free of shame. I'm now constantly modeling to another human how to set healthy boundaries and as importantly, how to accept the boundaries of others. But also, it's even more important now that I show Wilder how to stand in their power, no matter what society says.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told prior to becoming a father?
One thing that I wish I had been told prior to becoming a father is just how much fear I will have around keeping another human being safe in the world. I don't ever want anything to happen to Wilder and I feel like I'm in a constant state of examining every environment and situation to make sure that it is safe for Wilder, but I do it in a way that is almost primal and unconscious. It's pretty amazing actually, but also quite exhausting, and well, I'm just getting started.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Fatherhood is absolute unconditional love and support.
Lastly, what’s the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
The best gift that I've ever received for Father's Day is the miracle baby that I've always dreamt of having, and getting to do it in my own authentic way.
Jocko Graves | @jockograves
How has your life changed since becoming a father?
My life has changed immensely since becoming a father. Once Basel was born, I could no longer live for myself - Basel gives me newfound purpose and shapes my understanding of what it means to leave a legacy. My moves are driven to ensure that I set my son up for success, supporting and guiding him on whatever path he chooses in life.
What’s something about fatherhood you wish you were told prior to becoming a father?
I wish I was told of how postpartum (depression) affects both parents, I wish it wasn’t such a taboo point of discussion. Remaining present and caring through the peaks and valleys of this illness can be both exhausting and painful - especially given how ill-prepared we can be in facing this reality.
In a few words, how do you define fatherhood?
Fatherhood is remaining present for my child; nurturing, loving, being a positive and honest light in their life.
Lastly, what’s the best gift you’ve received for Father’s Day?
The best Father’s Day gift I received was my first - a collaged mug designed with images of my son and I. Basel gave it to me on my first Father’s Day.
