While weathering the ups and downs of this recent period of uncertainty, a sentiment voiced by Melody Ehsani, designer and Foot Locker’s first women’s creative director, has stuck with me: “Part of the awakening that’s happening right now is: there is no hero. You have to be the hero.”
As families, we’ve had to rely on each other, lean on each other, and support one another more so than possibly ever before. For many of us, that meant selling off assets to make ends meet, working into the night because we were full-time caregivers and execs during the day, asking for help from and relying more on our villages, and skillfully communicating very real social and political topics with young minds.
This is an extra special holiday.
As we celebrate Father’s Day, we at CafeMom would like to recognize, honor, and elevate parents — from dads to uncles, grandparents to godparents, and yes, you too single moms — for stepping up and being present, loving, attentive, and empathetic, especially in the face of adversity.
This month, we’re unveiling a unique collaboration with Netflix, in which we partner in support of the streaming service’s movie Fatherhood, premiering on June 18. This initiative illuminates our effort to honor the amazing parents in our lives for Father’s Day and every day.
Similarly, our June Dad Life series, where we celebrate all things fatherhood, highlights sweet ways to celebrate Father’s Day, the hysterical dads to follow on social media, dad jokes that never get old, and incredible writer Jay Gilmore discusses dad guilt (it’s not just a mom thing!).
We are the heroes.
In my household, the word balance took on a whole new meaning over the past year and a half. If I was dead tired or needed some alone time to get my mental health in check, my husband took command and cooked, cleaned, ran errands, rescheduled his meetings or calls to become a homeschool teacher, read bedtime stories, and run baths (for both my daughter and me!).
Here’s to you, outstanding parents.
So to all of the exceptional parents out there — those who are present, trying, succeeding, and loving their family’s up — you have been (and continue to be!) essential heroes in our lives.
You keep us laughing, dancing, playing, fed, cuddled up, and feeling safe. We want you to know we see you, and we adore you!
Thank you for showering us with unconditional love. Stay safe and continue to thrive.
Happy Father’s Day!
