On any given evening, just after 6:30 p.m., there’s a moment that defines what fatherhood looks like for Anthony.
He walks through the door after a long day, and before he can even settle in, his youngest son—just 10 months old—lights up. The baby drops whatever is in his hands, smiling from ear to ear! That smile, Anthony says, is everything. It’s the kind of moment that reminds him exactly why being a father matters.
Anthony is the proud father of two children: Aria, his almost 15-year-old daughter, and AJ, his baby boy who will turn one in August. His journey into fatherhood began while he was still figuring life out, but it was also where he first discovered the meaning of responsibility, love, and purpose.
“I was excited,” Anthony remembers about becoming a father for the first time. “But it also hit me—this person is going to look up to me. I have to provide. I have to be a role model.”
That understanding has shaped everything about how he parents today.
When Aria was born, Anthony admits he was still growing up himself. Their journey was shared – father and daughter learning side by side.
With AJ, Anthony brings not only that same love, but experience. He recognizes the importance of each milestone. Watching his son grow—already walking at just 10 months feels both exciting and bittersweet.
“It’s like I’m seeing it all over again,” he says. “But now, I understand it more.”
For Anthony, fatherhood is about more than showing up—it’s about leading.
“You’re their first role model, their first superhero, I always lead by example. I won’t show them something and not do it myself.”
That mindset is especially important when it comes to health.
Since the earliest stages of his son’s life, Anthony has been intentional about building healthy habits at home. As AJ begins teething, Anthony and his family turn something simple like brushing teeth into a moment of fun!
“We practice brushing his teeth and make it fun for him,” Anthony says. “My oldest helps too.”
It’s a family effort—one that shows how health isn’t just taught, it’s lived.
Anthony’s journey hasn’t been one he’s taken alone. Since he was 17, Anthony has been a patient of Community of Hope. He turned to the organization again when preparing to welcome his youngest child.
He encouraged his partner to seek prenatal care at Community of Hope as well, knowing from experience that they would provide not just medical support, but compassionate, reliable care.
From late-night access to nurses during pregnancy, to lactation support at home after birth, to being apart of CenteringParenting® a group model for well-child visits, they’ve learned about baby development and connected with other families.
“They’ve been on top of their game helping us stay on top of ours,” Anthony shares.
When asked about his proudest moment as a dad, Anthony doesn’t point to big milestones or achievements. Instead, he returns to that everyday moment—the one that happens when he gets home from work.
“Seeing my kids happy when I come home… those smiles warm my heart”
It’s a reminder that fatherhood isn’t measured in grand gestures, but in consistency, presence, and love.
