Sometimes life reminds us that a family isn't only defined by blood, but also by pure love. Our family was built from love, not DNA. And for me, being a dad, or a mom, isn’t about passing on genetic material, it’s about being there, protecting, nurturing, and loving unconditionally.
In my case, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how fatherhood can come from the heart. Both in our journey to build a family through adoption and in my own family story, with my parents and siblings.
Today, on Father’s Day, I want to take a moment to honor the kind of fatherhood that’s born from the heart, beyond genetics.
Ever since I was a little girl that concept was very clear to me, long before I had biology classes or even understanding where babies come from. My brother and I don’t share 100% of the same genes, but we DO share the same dad. And in our home, DNA never made a difference.
Our dad was always there, he was the one who disciplined us but loved us just as fiercely, the one who still shows up for us, who makes arepas, who taught us how to use a hammer, who gave us his love for music through the sound of his cuatro, who taught us how to drive, and who continues to be present in our lives.
Because of him, I grew up knowing what it means to love a child deeply, beyond blood. I saw how his eyes lit up when he spoke about his only son, and how pride poured out of him. I witnessed the powerful bond that love can build between a father and a son.
Then, as an adult, I witnessed this kind of love again, this time through my husband. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I wrongly assumed men saw things differently.
That wasn’t the case for my husband. He was ready to give his heart fully. When we began our journey to build a family, he jumped in without hesitation, without fears or doubts. He didn’t need DNA to love fully. He’s a fun, committed, present, and extraordinary dad.
Gracias a ellos y a otros papás que conozco que han elegido el amor antes del ADN, no me cabe duda, que el vínculo más fuerte, el que más une, es el amor. El que se construye con cada abrazo, que está presente en cada desvelo, en cada juego, en cada enseñanza, en cada historia antes de dormir y que se fomenta día a día.
What being a dad means to me
💙Being a dad is being there, for the easy and the hard moments.
💙Being a dad is supporting, holding, and protecting.
💙Being a dad is choosing to love every day, unconditionally.
💙Being a dad is teaching by example, helping shape the unique personality of a child.
There are other father figures which also start from the heart
La paternidad que nace desde el corazón, tiene muchas formas y no siempre lleva el título oficial de “papá”, pero el impacto es igual de profundo.
💙Grandfathers
Some grandfathers, due to life’s circumstances, end up raising their grandchildren. They trade retirement plans for soccer games and school plays. They’ve already raised their own children, yet out of love, they step in again and change lives in the process.
💙Uncles
Some uncles go above and beyond. No one asked them to, but they’re there, at sports events, graduations, when things get hard, for new adventures. They offer unconditional love, wisdom, and presence.
💙Big brothers
Some older brothers take on a fatherly role. They become protectors, mentors, and guiding lights for their younger siblings. I proudly say I’ve lived this myself. Though my dad was always present, my brother was my second dad.
Estas figuras nacen de la decisión de amar, no de la obligación de los lazos de sangre. Muchas veces no son reconocidas, y capaz pasan por desapercibido pero marcan una diferencia en los niños y ayudan a que crezcan desde el amor.
Y también están los papás biológicos, que enfrentando circunstancias difíciles, toman una decisión desde el amor por el bienestar de su bebé. Aquellos que entienden que ser papá a veces significa priorizar el bienestar del bebé por encima de su propio deseo de estar presente, y buscan un mejor futuro para su bebé a través de la adopción.
Es una forma de paternidad muy criticada y que pocos entienden, pero que existe. Existe desde el amor, es silenciosa, dolorosa pero parte del mismo principio de amar sin condiciones. Otro tipo de paternidad que he podido presenciar en este camino de vida.
Hoy quiero celebrar a todos los hombres que han elegido ser padres desde el amor.
A los papás que dia a dia deciden estar presentes sea que hayan llegado por genética o por elección, a los papás por adopción, a los padrastros que aman sin etiquetas, a los papás biológicos que buscaron un mejor futuro para su bebe, a los tíos, abuelos, hermanos mayores, amigos o parejas que han asumido este rol con el corazón por delante.
Ser papá no es un título que se da simplemente por poner el ADN, es un título que se fomenta con amor, con entrega y con presencia.
Happy Father’s Day.
Grateful to have you here, heart to heart.
Melli
