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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 23 When Davy Fearon Jr. was 11 years old, he wrote in a school notebook that he aspired to be a husband and father when he grew up. "Fatherhood is where crazy meets normal, frus- tration meets intense love, not-so-good days meet the best days ever," says Fearon, who lost his father when he was 5 years old. His childhood dream came true 19 years ago when he married his college sweetheart, Vernitha. Together, they have one son and three daughters, ages 9-13. "Our children are special to us because they embrace who they are and who we are," says Fearon. "Each of them has different strengths, skills, personalities…they like to express their individuality." This motorcycle-riding basketball coach and father-of-four is also the Program Director for Healthy Families Rappahannock Area. HRFA is a non-profit organization whose mission is "empowering parents to raise healthy children," which they do by connecting families with various community resources. "I desire that each of my children recognize their potential and accomplish whatever they set out to do." Fearon says being a father and husband helps him to facilitate empathetic programming, and that he strives to make sure dads are not an afterthought. One way that they support dads at HFRA is through an edu- cational program and support group called Village Fathers. "One of the biggest mistakes we often make is giv- ing fathers praise for being present and active in their children's lives," something he says we don't do for mothers. "We expect a mother to be there. Fathers should not be held to a lower standard." Fearon continues, "We are supposed to be present: physically, emotion- ally, spiritually and mentally just as we expect mothers to be. We have different skillsets and roles, but the absence of one person does not nullify the role; it leaves it unfulfilled in every sense of the word. Davy Fearon's hopes for his children's future: "My hope for my children is they grow up to be people of integrity, model citizens and be purposeful in their lives. I desire that each of my children recognize their potential and accomplish whatever they set out to do. I pray they have deep faith and a prosperous, fun and rewarding life." "My relationship with my dad is great. I wanted the same for me and my sons." Despite that desire and the example set at home, Brown originally had a different expectation of fatherhood. Brown is not alone. A lot of men are confused about their role in their children's lives. "Coming in, I thought I would provide financially and change a few diapers and be done," says Brown. That all changed when his sons were born. "They stole my heart, and all I wanted to do was help them to be the best they could be." In fact, his family would describe him as a father who was so committed to the suc- cess of his children, that he woke up at 4 am every morning just to make sure his boys started their day off right—with a home- cooked breakfast, just like the ones his mother prepared for him. Brown is still trying to process that his boys have recently become adults and started their own lives away from their childhood home. He cautions parents, "DON'T WASTE TIME! As parents, we sometimes get caught up in the day-to-day shuffle, but your time with your children goes by fast. Spend as much time as you can with your children. When they graduate and leave home, it will never be the same." Lamont Brown's proudest dad moments: "As a father, I taught lessons to my chil- dren but seeing my sons model the lessons I taught by example has truly made me proud. The area of their lives where I see it the most is in how they treat their girl- friends." #Dadication #Dadication DAVY DAVY FEARON JR. #DADICATION is an ad campaign dedicat- ed entirely to creating awareness about the importance of father- hood involvement and to direct dads to Fatherhood.gov where they can find tips, programs and other valuable parenting resources.