The Interview: Father's Day Edition

As a wife and mom, it would be very easy to share my thoughts about Hosea as a Father. In all fairness though, I thought it would be unique to hear what he had to say about being a Father, and to instead record it in his own words. His responses represent the questions he was asked by me.

JP: Did you feel like a Dad throughout the 9 months leading up to Zay's arrival? Or did you feel like a Dad when you first laid eyes on him?
HP: When I first laid eyes on him.

JP: What thoughts or emotions did you experience when you first laid eyes on Zay?
HP: It wasn't thoughts, as much as it was emotion. I felt a new love...a whole notha kind of love.

JP: How many Father's Days have you celebrated?
HP: 3.

JP: What about fatherhood brings you joy?
HP: Having someone who looks up to you, seeing Zay grow, and being able to be there for him spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

JP: What's hard about being a Father?
HP: Learning as I go...

JP: Favorite things to do with Zay?
HP: Watch movies (Bumblebee, Black Panther, Ant Man 1+2), wrestle, and pray. I also love when he lays on me and shows me affection.
JP: I love seeing the two of you wrestling on the floor, and hearing Zay laugh uncontrollably from the excitement of it.

JP: How do you speak into his life?
HP: I pray over him, and I tell him to be a good example, to be a leader, and not a follower.
JP:What else do you say to him?
HP: I tell him he's a leader of God.
JP: That's my favorite thing to hear you tell him, and I especially love when he repeats it.

JP: Favorite memory with Zay?
HP: Him saying his first words, and taking his first steps.

JP: How has becoming a Father changed you?
HP: It has taught me how to be more patient, and more importantly it has caused me to see things I've needed to change, and the things I can no longer do.

JP: What are your fears in raising Zay?
HP: That he will be a victim of police brutality, and be overcome by the darkness and cruelty of the world itself.

JP: What do we do consistently as parents with Zay?
HP: We pray over him, give him unconditional love, show him kindness, teach him the meaning of forgiveness and caring. 
JP: I have personally come to love that we pray at night as a family in Zay's room before he goes to sleep.We also read to him almost every night. 

JP: Final words?
HP: I didn't have a Dad who was there spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I want to care for Zay's heart. I want to be present. Caring for him and being there when he needs me...I want to be there to wipe his tears. His Heavenly Father will always be present, but I want to be here as long as I can taking care of my responsibility. I don't want to make promises, I can't keep.

JP: Thank you for being the Father Zay deserves and needs. Thanks for wanting to be in his life, and for helping to raise him. Happy Father's Day baby 💓💕💕💕💕💕