Today’s father in the #40Days40Dads campaign is Don Martelli, who probably pronounces the word father as “fathah,” since he is a proud lifelong Bostonian. After checking out his #DadLife Chronicles blog and learning that he goes by BigGuyD around the Internets, I can’t help but hear his answers below in a thick Bah-ston accent, which somehow makes them all the more authoritative and meaningful.1 Thanks for playing, Don!
Dad #12: Don Martelli
Don is the father of two daughters–a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old.
What was the moment when you first felt like a father?
WTF? Is her head always going to be cone-shaped?2
What’s your favorite part about being a father?
Their unconditional love, and the fact that I’m ALWAYS going to be king in the house.
What’s the hardest part about being a father?
Everything…but that’s what is so awesome about it, too.
What’s the dumbest/funniest thing that your kid has cried about or fought with you over?
Cleaning up dog crap.
What are you most proud of having taught/shared with your kids or what are you most looking forward to teaching/sharing with them?
Question everything. Learn as much as you can. Be patient. Love. Teach. Read. Be who you want to be, always.
What’s your favorite thing about your kids?
Everything. Every-friggin’-thing.
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice when you first became a father, what would you say?
Nothing, because there’s no playbook for this. It’s a learn-on-the-job type of job.
Any other comments to share on fatherhood?
Just go with the flow. Don’t plan. The minute you do, you’re F-ed.
If you’re a father or you know a father who would like to share his story, send him to this link to answer the questions. Stay tuned for another dad’s crib notes tomorrow!
- Don, if I’m wrong and you don’t have a Boston accent, I’m sorry. But it’s too late to change my mental image.
- I’m assuming Don misunderstood the question and that this was his first thought when he first felt like a father. Based on the photo of his daughters, it looks like the answer turned out to be no…
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