Parenting is one of those things that you have no idea what you’re getting into, even if you have always wanted to do it (like me), you learn it as you go, you make mistakes, try to fix things, hope your kids will always forgive you for being human, and hope at the end of the day that love will guide your decisions and fix most bumps. I tend to think it generally does.
SONS:
I am the biological father to two wonderful boys, Keston and Macaean. They are everything I ever wanted in children and I am absolutely bursting with pride over who and what they are. They are not perfect — of course, nobody is — but then again, they are perfect insomuch as how I would want children to be. They are both bonkers intelligent, clever, quirky, funny, soft, kind, and interesting. I’ve loved every stage of having them, from babies until now (teenagers) and can’t wait to see what the future brings — but also, can we slow down time, please?
DAUGHTERS:
Starting in 2019, my wife and I signed up for a new experience to host foreign exchange students with an organization known as I.R.I.S. (Iowa Resource for International Service) who places students with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (KL-YES) Program, established after the attacks of 9/11 in an effort to connect the United States with predominantly Muslim-based countries and their youth to try to better understand each other and our differences.
I had no idea what I was about to sign up for. It’s been amazing.
I am now proud host father to ELEVEN daughters from all over the world:
- Alara, Turkiye, 2019-2020
- Korina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2021-2022
- Elena, North Macedonia, 2021-2022
- Nelly, Egypt, 2022-2023
- Ilcim, Turkiye, 2022-2023
- Ahly, Thailand, 2023-2024
- Yllka, Kosovo, 2023-2024
- Alya, Egypt, 2023-2024
- Jamila, Libya, 2024-2025
- Nehir, Turkiye, 2024-2025
- Viktoria, Bulgaria, 2025-2026
And yes, they are my daughters — even though I did not biologically father them, I have come to know and love each one in a unique relationship with me and my family, and I am proud to call them my family and always will be. I have so, so many wonderful memories built up over the years, we keep in contact with most of them on a regular basis, and I can’t wait to see them all as soon as possible. And to visit their countries, too!
If you have ever considered hosting a foreign exchange student, I highly encourage it. It will change you and your family for the better and you almost certainly will gain another kid from it. I sure did.