This Father’s Day, we catch up with fellow Titans to hear what fatherhood looks like from their side of the stroller. Enjoy this peek into the wild, wonderful world of modern day fatherhood.
ANDREW MARQUEZ – c/o 2012
What’s one lesson you learned from your own father that you’ve tried to pass down to your kids?
One lesson I’ve learned from my father is to always be there for them. I have little ones currently, but even then I feel as though it’s still important now than ever to be sure they feel acknowledged, to be given love and positivity!
So when they’re older they have that implemented in their mindset from early on.
What surprised you most about becoming a dad?
What surprised me the most is having a set of twins! We weren’t aware of any close family member from recent generations that had a set of twins, so it was a complete shocker, and the biggest blessing.
Is there a particular memory with your kids that always makes you smile?
I have so so many of them, but one memory that always sticks to me is seeing their expressions when they first saw the parade in Disney California Adventure. Their excitement from Disneyland hits home as my wife and I are obsessed with Disneyland so it’ll always be quite memorable.
How did your time at East Tech shape the kind of father you are today?
East Tech helped build my foundation as my future self now, and it carried on furthermore to help me achieve the position I’m in now, and the father figure I am today!
What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
The biggest advice I can give is to enjoy… Every. Single. Moment. The sleepless nights, the nurturing care and crucial attentiveness for your pregnant significant other, the pulling on your shirt to play with them.
All the love you give to them, will spread all around and carry on!
ALBERT TINOCO – c/o 2012
What’s one lesson you learned from your own father that you’ve tried to pass down to your kids?
My father was a restaurant owner who put us to work at a very young age. My brothers and I spent countless hours washing dishes, polishing silverware, sorting inventory, etc. At the time, we hated it but as I’ve grown older and stepped into the workforce myself, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the value of those experiences. My father was teaching us the importance of hard work, responsibility, and discipline.
In every job I’ve had since, I’ve been recognized as a reliable and hardworking employee, and I owe that to the work ethic he instilled in us early on.
That’s something I hope to pass down to my kids – not just the importance of working hard, but the pride that comes from doing a job well.
Is there a particular memory with your kids that always makes you smile?
There are so many memories that bring a smile to my face, but the ones that truly fill my heart are the moments when my two boys are playing together and bursting into big belly laughs.
Watching them enjoy each other’s company, completely carefree, reminds me of what a gift it is to be their dad. Those moments truly bring me peace.
What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
Parenting is tough, but it’s worth every bit of it. The hard days can really test you, but the good moments are unforgettable. Be truly present, be patient, and don’t stress about being perfect.
Most importantly, remember that kids learn by watching. Set a strong example through your actions, how you treat others, and the habits you practice every day.
GUSTAVO TAMAYO – c/o 2012
What’s one lesson you learned from your own father that you’ve tried to pass down to your kids?
One of the biggest lessons is just being there for your kids. Whether it be for the big or small accomplishments that they have, just be there.
It’s a crazy thing to realize that they don’t really care what chore, errand, or outing you take them to, they just really care that they’re doing it with you.
What surprised you most about becoming a dad?
How easy it was to step into that role. I went from only ever changing 3 diapers my whole life to doing 3 a day when our first daughter was born.
It’s impossible not to catch yourself doing something you probably would’ve never done before kids. I can definitely say I would’ve never expected to be belting out lyrics at full volume in public but yet it’s happened.
Being a dad makes you realize you can be yourself and your kids will always love you for that and vice versa.
What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
It’s a very cliche saying but no one is ever ready. All you can do is just embrace it and roll with it. Go all in and be the best father you can be. You will have days where you will feel like you’re not enough or like you can do better and ultimately your goal is to be a better dad the next day.
There’s no such thing as a perfect parent and the sooner you realize it the sooner you can remove that pressure off yourself. Cherish every moment you have with them no matter how little. You never know when it’s going to be the last time their toe curls around your thumb, their last coo, or the last time they mispronounce a word, cherish them all.
Make your kids smile and laugh everyday and I’m sure they’ll love you forever.
ALEX MENDOZA – c/o 2012
What surprised you most about becoming a dad?
I think the biggest surprise about becoming a father was how instantly and deeply you can love
someone you’ve just met. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a different kind of love one I’ve never felt before.
What’s one lesson you learned from your own father that you’ve tried to pass down to your kids?
From my father I’ve learned work ethic and that has pushed me to be disciplined and hard working.
I’d like to teach my daughter the importance of hard work and show her what hard work can bring.
What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
For new and soon-to-be dads I can tell you this…Be present, not perfect. You don’t need to have all the answers—just showing up consistently for your partner and baby is powerful.
Your presence matters more than perfection
FREDDY PEREZ – c/o 2012
What surprised you most about becoming a dad?
The thing that surprised me most about becoming a dad is the amount of patience that we need and how much we need to slow down.
We are so used to living fast, but being a dad has taught me to take it day by day and live in the moment.
How did your time at East Tech shape the kind of father you are today?
I feel like being at East Tech has definitely helped in the way it shaped me as a father. At East Tech, I learned so much, and I made great friends and established awesome relationships with people I still talk to today.
Teaching my kid to always have respect for others no matter where they come from is so important.
What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
My advice I’d give new or soon to be dads is don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’d like to think we know it all but we don’t, especially in the first few months.
It’s difficult in the beginning, but asking for help comes a long way.
DAVID COBIAN – c/o 2012
What’s one lesson you learned from your own father that you’ve tried to pass down to your kids?
Confidence in myself. My dad always encouraged me to have confidence in my own decisions and go after what I wanted in life.
I want to empower my daughter to believe in herself.
What surprised you most about becoming a dad?
The amount of love you can have for someone you just met. I think it’s a feeling that’s hard to understand until you see your baby for the first time. I’d give up anything for her.
Is there a particular memory with your kids that always makes you smile?
It’s a memory from before my daughter was born. The thought that always makes me smile is the first time my wife and I went in for an ultrasound and we were able to listen to our baby’s heart beat for the first time.
What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
Don’t underestimate the toll pregnancy and becoming a mom has on your significant other.
As dads we will never be able to understand exactly what they go through, but it’s an amazing process to watch how natural everything comes to a mother, Remember to be there and be present!
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