I woke up today thinking it had already arrived. Father’s Day was here. But we’re still one week away, and the countdown is on. Maybe it was the quiet morning light or a dream still lingering, but my thoughts drifted toward my fatherhood and the generations that shaped it.
A Tradition Rooted in Faith
Father’s Day, as we know it in the U.S., may be a relatively modern holiday, but the celebration of fatherhood runs deep in the veins of history. In Catholic Europe, it dates back to at least 1508, celebrated on March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph, the Nutritor Domini (“Nourisher of the Lord”), and the humble, steadfast figure seen as the earthly father of Jesus.
This tradition crossed the Atlantic with Spanish and Portuguese explorers and settlers, where it eventually found new life in the Americas. The Catholic Church, especially the Franciscans, helped keep this day alive, recognizing the importance of fatherhood not just in theology but in everyday life.
My Father’s Day Journey
For me, Father’s Day isn’t just a moment to be honored, it’s a mirror. It reminds me of where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and who I’ve been lucky enough and blessed to call my family.
Back in the late 1970s, I was just beginning my journey in media and broadcasting. My daughters, Natasha and Sabrina, were little girls with big dreams. I was a young father with a passion for storytelling, not just telling my own, but learning from the lives of others. Through my work, I met future presidents, tribal Chiefs, chefs, community leaders, and everyday workers, each with lessons to share.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but they weren’t just interviews or segments. They were part of the story that shaped me. They became examples, reminders of what it meant to lead, to serve, and to love.
Today, Natasha and Sabrina are loving women and wonderful mothers. I’m the proud grandfather of five amazing kids: Elena, Chloe, Sophia, Parker, and Olivia. And later in life, I married Yirong, a remarkable woman who brought Yiliang, my son, into our lives. Together, we’ve created a bi-coastal family that continues to inspire me every single day.
Still Learning, Still Listening
Here we are, decades later, and I’m still collecting stories. Still seeking wisdom and marveling at the everyday grace of people doing their best for those they love.
That’s what fatherhood is: a journey that doesn’t end when the kids grow up. It’s a lifetime of lessons, of laughter, of showing up even when the road isn’t easy.
So yes, I woke up thinking it was already. Maybe because, in a way, Father’s Day is every day we remember to love deeper, lead better, and cherish the people who call us Dad, Grandpa, or simply “Pops.”
Here’s to a week of remembering, reflecting, and dreaming forward.