Fatherhood came into my life later than I expected. It wasn’t part of my immediate plan—I was on a road to entrepreneurship, chasing goals, and focused on building my career. But as life often does, it threw me a curveball when I met my now wife, the love of my life, and soon after, became a father. It happened in a way that was as nontraditional as the rest of my journey, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Now, my daughter is an incredible 6-year-old, and being her dad has become my top priority. I’m locked in, 300%. She’s funny, curious, and full of love. But as amazing as she is, raising an only child has brought its unique challenges—ones I think about often.
Part of me wishes she had a sibling, someone close in age to grow up with. I see how much having a sibling can support a child’s social and emotional development. My daughter is shy and extremely attached to us, which is beautiful, but I also want her to feel confident and independent. These are skills that a sibling might naturally help nurture.
Because she’s an only child, I have to be especially intentional about teaching her social skills, encouraging self-reliance, and pouring into her self-confidence. I want her to believe in herself, to know she’s capable of anything. That’s one of my most important jobs as her father.
I think about the “what ifs” of giving her a sibling more often than I’d like to admit. But whenever those thoughts creep in, I remind myself of something I firmly believe: God makes no mistakes. Everything happens in His divine timing, and who am I to question it? I trust that this is the path meant for me, for us, and that I was chosen to be her dad for a reason.
Raising my daughter has been the greatest gift of my life. The challenges, the lessons, the love—it’s all part of this incredible journey. I’m celebrating it every day, grateful for the opportunity to guide, nurture, and grow alongside her.
Fatherhood may not have come into my life in the way I imagined, but it came exactly when it was meant to. And for that, I’ll always be thankful.
– Calcie | Social Dad DC
SOCIAL DAD DC 