Happy gay Fathers Day

June 18, 11:42 PMAustin Gay Parenting ExaminerFrederick Reinhardt

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While I realize, traditionally, nobody has ever had to clarify the type of dad in the past, times have changed.  As more and more gay men (and women) are becoming parents, it’s necessary to figure out how to celebrate these traditionally heteronormative holidays our own ways.  Like it or not, we’re part of this celebration.

I was asked the other night what I wanted for Father’s day.  I hadn’t thought of it, really.  Throughout the past four years of actually BEING a father, I thought I had already gotten the greatest gift I could ever receive.  I don’t need the tie, the coffee mug, the can of fix-a-flat, or a hand-me-down CD of Prince’s Greatest Hits from 2001.  I didn’t come into this gig expecting gifts for each and every Hallmark holiday.  Each and every time I hear the word “daddy” is a gift to me.  There’s, quite honestly, nothing else in the world I want more.

BUT for those of you “in it” for the gift, though, I’m not going to let you down!   One of my fellow Examiner.com writers, Karen Deerwester, wrote a column the other day about making coupons for dads on Father’s day.  I think it’s a brilliant idea.  As a recipient of these coupons, both from the kids AND the s.o., I can tell you they're very much loved, cherished, and appreciated.  The only problem I’ve found with them is that I love them so much that I tend to keep them for the memories rather than ever redeeming them!

Personally I appreciate the gifts that my kids make for me with their own two hands.  I may not have the best decorated house in the gay-o-sphere, but everywhere I look I’m surrounded by the love from my kids.  I accidentally opened a package sent home in my son’s backpack on the last day of school a couple of weeks ago.  His teacher had sent home a picture he had made for Father’s day.  And while I don’t have anything to look forward to opening this weekend, I have, perhaps, the finest piece of art in my house to treasure for years to come. 

However you’ve come into fatherhood, be it “the natural way” or by working hard to create your forever family, I wish you the happiest of all Father’s day.