Where I'm at now

As the title suggests, here I am.

If my memory serves me correctly, I started this idea around last November, heading into early 2025. This was right around the time my podcast co-host—my brother, confidant, and my daughter’s godfather—and I came up with the idea for our podcast, Just Dads.

To say 2025 was an interesting year would be a severe understatement. I went through every peak and valley of emotion: therapy sessions, cigar and bourbon sessions, family time, and everything in between.

September is always an interesting month for me; school is back in full swing and it’s my birthday month, but this year specifically was a little "upside down." My now ex-wife and I officially filed for divorce. As much as I tried to flex that I wasn't affected, my outlook on life showed the complete opposite. I was on the up-and-up and suddenly fell back into a deep depression—to the point where it began affecting my work, and it was extremely noticeable. Sure, I tried my best to power through it and "move on," but the point is: it sucked.

Eventually, I gave in. I ran out of options; I couldn't run from anything anymore. All else had failed. So, like any sensible person, I turned to faith. Looking back now, I was so tossed around in a washing machine of emotions that faith should have been the first thing I reached for—but we live, we learn, and we move forward with that experience.

Now, I’m not trying to be a hardcore "Bible thumper," claiming to be reborn and shoving it down people’s throats. I grew up in a Baptist church and attended private school—Monday through Friday and every Sunday, I was at church. We used to live in North Miami and the church was in Miami Lakes; for the locals, you know that isn’t a short drive. As I got older and wanted to experience a Sunday without church, I looked forward to it, and eventually, that became my norm.

Full circle many years later: I am now attending the very church I used to be forced to go to every week. I remember the first full service I attended by myself. I remember listening to the worship music and just starting to cry. Not one of those "ugly cries," but one of those nonchalant "thug cries." I felt like I finally found the peace I needed to quiet the noise of my situation.

Here I am, a few months removed from that moment. I attend church every other week when my daughter is with her mother, and the progress my life has made since has been astronomical. Can I say that I’m fully "happy" or back to normal? I can't truly say I’m 100% yet, but I can stand "ten toes down" and confidently say that I have never been so excited to look ahead at where my life is going.

As I write this, I can't fully express how excited I am to officially get this off the ground. I have the next couple of social media posts ready to begin building the brand and truly offering support for those in need. Anybody can make a website or offer support—and I’m grateful for those who do—but unless you have lived this situation, you can't understand how hard it is. Had I known better or corrected my mistakes sooner, none of this would be here.

So, if you’re new here—new to single fatherhood—trust me when I tell you: it’s going to suck. It’s going to look like it’s never going to get better. But as someone who is living it with you:

IT IS GOING TO GET BETTER.