A Different Kind of Dad: Honoring Emotional Fatherhood
This Father’s Day, we’re honoring the dads who lead with love, cry at movies, and show up with heart. Watch Nelson and his 7-year-old son in our latest {THE AND} video, then spark your own unforgettable conversation with our Family & Fatherhood Editions.
My dad, Jose Luis, has always been my person.
He’s the one I call when life feels too heavy. The one who sat beside me during my worst days with depression and BPD. The one who cried with me during most movies and shows. The one who somehow always knows when I’m being too hard on myself, and meets me there with patience, love, and just the right words.
He’s also the one who taught me that being a man doesn’t mean shutting off your feelings. It means learning how to hold them. Share them. Live with them and still lead with love.
That kind of fatherhood deserves to be celebrated.
Let’s talk about emotionally supportive dads
For generations, society’s idea of a “good father” was wrapped up in stoicism, toughness, and providing from a distance. But that’s not the full picture. In fact, research shows that kids who have emotionally engaged fathers tend to have better mental health, stronger relationships, and higher self-esteem.
According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, children who feel securely connected to their fathers are more likely to be resilient in the face of stress and better equipped to express their emotions.
That’s huge.
And it doesn’t take grand gestures. It’s the little things, the eye contact during a tough conversation, the inside jokes, the daily hugs, the ability to say “I’m proud of you” without needing a reason.
I grew up with that kind of dad. I know how rare and how life changing it is.
That’s why this new {THE AND} video means so much
We just released a beautiful Father’s Day conversation between Nelson and his 7-year-old son, Nelson Jr. It’s not just cute (though it really is). It’s a portrait of the kind of emotional fatherhood we need to see more of.
From the moment the video begins, you can feel the connection between them. Nelson Jr. is a ball of joy, wisdom, and pure love, and his dad meets him there, matching his energy with presence, attention, and affection. They talk about big feelings. They tease each other with tenderness. They’re not afraid to say “I love you,” out loud and often.
In just a few minutes, they remind us what real connection looks like. And how powerful a father-child bond can be when it’s rooted in emotional honesty.
Big Hugs, Big Feelings: A Father-Son Conversation | {THE AND} + Little Spoon: Nelson & Nelson
Fatherhood isn’t a job. It’s a relationship
And like any relationship, it takes curiosity, care, and communication. That’s why we created our {THE AND} Family and Fatherhood Editions to help spark those unforgettable conversations between parents and kids, or any kind of family, no matter what they look like.
These decks are a gateway to vulnerability. To laughter. To healing. To that rare moment when you finally hear something you didn’t know your dad had been holding onto for years. Or when your kid surprises you with a truth only they could say.
If you’ve ever wanted to feel closer to your family, to ask deeper questions, to share more than just daily updates, these editions are a beautiful place to start.
So here’s to the dads who feel a lot
The dads who cry at movies and clap the loudest at school plays with tears in their eyes. The ones who listen without trying to fix. Who lead with kindness. Who show that strength and softness aren’t opposites, they’re a package deal.
This Father’s Day, celebrate them. Watch the video. Play the game. Start a conversation you’ll never forget.
And if your dad is like mine, send him this article and remind him just how much his love has shaped you.
With love,
Regina Zuniga
The Skin Deep Digital Content Specialist
