Some families are celebrating in double measure this Father's Day. Western New England University student Aubree Carr talks about her dynamic dads.
Here I am in my kitchen doing the dishes, but I’m not alone. My dad, Robert, and his boyfriend, Del, are singing again.
“This is my life!” they belt out, as Shirley Bassey plays in the background.
My dads love to sing, but they are also good at parenting – and at love.
“The bottom line is, one of our joys — why we have so much fun, I think, Del, is because we enjoy so much of the same music,” says my dad.
“You've got to be grateful,” Del quips. “I introduced you to Ms. Shirley.”
The goofiness is worth it, because they’re my dads. Their love as fathers, to me, is playful and unique – but their love for one another is strong, bold, and eccentric.
“I wanna know what love is,” Del sings softly.
“Well, love is completely giving,” my dad answers. “It transcends so many things.”
It’s a different type of love than I had growing up. I lost my mom to ALS in 2013, and I didn’t think I would ever see that parenting again, until I met Del.
“I gained a new daughter, as well as a great partner,” says Del. “So, there it is.”
I appreciate the difference between my mom and Del. I appreciate the connection between Del and my dad. They sing and dance together, and share many friends and hobbies. My dad works on creating a children’s book in the dining room, while Del dances in the kitchen between projects. Little did Del know what he was getting into, meeting my father, and both have learned about parenting along the way. I asked my dad about what he has learned from being a father in this new parenting partnership.
“I don’t think it’s any different than in a heterosexual parenting situation. Of course, it’s a different player than my previous experience, and this particular player has a great sense of humor. And he sometimes helps me to not be so serious,” my dad answers.
There may be humor, but there’s never a silent moment. I am fortunate I have two dads: they are funny and theatrical, and I never have a dull moment, even when I am doing the dishes. So, happy Father’s Day to you and yours.
Aubree Carr is a junior at Western New England University. This piece is part of WAMC’s partnership with the university’s Radio Production class. The views expressed by WAMC commentators do not necessarily reflect the views of WAMC or its management.