14 June 18 - July 1, 2011 Top pops from Page 1
“It’s just part of who I am,” says the Countryside Estates resident. “I absolutely love it.” Tim, an environmental health and safety program manager at Jones Lang LaSalle, is the father of Christina, 27; Christopher, 24; Michael, 15; and Gabriela, 13. He and Celeste have been married for 19 years, and before that, he was a single father to his eldest two children for more than three years.
“I had to be mom and dad and everything in between,” he recalls. “I was raised by my parents to be very self-suffi cient, but it was still diffi cult – just the idea that you’ve got to be responsible for everything.”
Tim admits that his parenting style has changed since he fi rst became a father, and that he’s “developed more fl exibility” over time.
“With kids, things just don’t always go the way you plan,” he explains. “I’m able to let more go
now, and I don’t let things bother me as much.” Still, when asked how his kids would describe him, Tim chuckles.
“It depends on what day you ask them. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not a stern parent. I am. I have certain values, certain rules, certain responsibilities.” But, he adds, “Just to be married and have kids, you have to have a great sense of humor, and I do. I’m able to laugh at things.”
Tim’s job frequently takes him out of town for three or four days at a time, and earlier this year he spent two months out of the country. He keeps in touch with his family with phone calls and “pretty continuous” text
messages, and even offers long-distance homework help.
When he’s home, Tim gives science lessons at his children’s schools and teaches Sunday school at The Grove Bible Church. He’s been active in Junior
Achievement for 20 years, coaches his daughter’s softball team, and last year spent 10 days in Haiti helping to build an orphanage with other church members.
“I want my kids to know that everyone has something to offer,” he says, explaining that he hopes to teach by example. “We’re all on the planet together, and we all need to help each other out in some form or other.”
Tim’s eldest daughter is married, and he describes their current relationship as “more adult-to-adult than parent-to-child.” Still, he knows that being “Dad” is a never-ending gig, and his wish is that all his children will grow into confi dent, successful adults, able to “stand on their own two feet no matter what life throws at them.”
“And at some point in time for the younger three kids, I hope they’ll meet somebody that they’re going to be in love with,” he adds, “like Celeste and I are in love with one another.”
For more “top dads” news, turn to the Neighbors section on Page 43.
K. M. Lang lives and writes in Sun Groves. To contact her, email
KMLang@SanTanSun.com.
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
For the other top fathers and all nominee letters for the Dad of the Year award as well as other Father’s Day related events and celebrations, turn to the cover of the Neighbors section on Page 43.
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