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31 Beautiful Photos That Show What Single Fatherhood Really Looks Like

31 Beautiful Images That Show What Single Fatherhood Really Looks Like
By 

Managing Editor, HuffPost Voices

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In 1960, about 14 percent of single parent households were headed by dads. Today, that figure is up to 24 percent, according to a Pew report.

That increase has been attributed to both the rise of divorce rates and non-marital births since 1960, but also is a sign of fathers' changing role in society. In everyday life, the title of Single Father means "being a best friend, a hero, a teacher, a listener and a shoulder to cry on," according to dad Josh Porter. Alfredo Rodriguez adds, "It means that all pictures of us together are selfies. Otherwise I'm never in the picture."

HuffPost Parents recently featured gorgeous pictures that show what parenting looks like for single moms, and now it's the dads' turn. Check out their photos below.

These captions have been edited and condensed.

1
Roberto Ramírez
When you play both roles in a child's life, sometimes you have to look the part.
2
Karone Edge
Being that one special person who lights up her eyes when I come home from work. No matter how tired and sleepy I am it makes my day to stay up and read to her and play with her until she's ready for bed. It's a lot of work but I wouldn't trade my angel for anything in the world!
3
Lucas Lockwood
They are a part of who I am. Always present.
4
Robert Earls
It means lots of laughter, plenty of hugs, and routine.
5
Alfredo Rodriguez
It means that all pictures of us together are selfies. Otherwise I'm never in the picture.
6
Eric Williams
It means being there for your kids no matter what.
7
Ryan Mahar
Getting to enjoy life without petty stress and be able to enjoy more, rather than thinking it's over.
8
Tim Groshong
Letting your daughter paint your nails because that's what she likes to do.
9
Miso Grey
10
Simon Lesmo
It means fun and hard work (lots of hard work) rolled into one, 24/7.
11
Chris Robison
Being a single dad of three girls means tears, laughs, arguments, knots in hair, goofy selfies, misunderstandings, marathon "Monster High" watching and clothes.
12
Mazi Merritt
My lil' man.
13
Jon Vaughn
14
Felix Herrera
It means living my life so my daughter feels happy and loved.
15
Charlie Kramer
I’ve been my daughter's only parent since her mom died in 2011. What a gift to be the father of this amazing girl. I teach her love, strength, resilience, persistence. She teaches me the same things.
16
Josh Porter
Being a single father is being a best friend, a hero, a teache,r a listener, a shoulder to cry on, kissing boo-boos away and LEARNING.
17
Matthew Brown
Being her everything.
18
Adam Howton
Being a single father isn't an easy job. I have three amazing kids and while I was single their smiles made everything worthwhile and let me know I was doing the right thing and made me want to be the best dad I could be.
19
Jonathan Fried
At times it can get tough not having the other partner to help or be a part of there life but I do everything I can to keep them smiling. When you're having a tough day and you see those boys smile and say "Daddy, I love you" will always turn your day around.
20
David Cassanova
21
Dan Jozic
22
Patrick J Keating
23
John Ligouri III
Spending time with my boys. That's what's important.
24
Brandon Vargas
25
Eric Edr Dorn
My daughter has made me 100 times the man I was. In all aspects! She's my "why" in life for sure!
26
Raymond Dufresne Hsc
27
Floyd Felix Ortiz
28
David Combs
For me it means lots of love in the few days I do get with her. Love, hugs, kisses, cuddles and lots and lots of tears when she goes back to her mother.
29
Steve Pownell
30
Joe Zumbo
31
Anil Mani
If ever I had to do it all again, I would. He made be proud by his achievements in all the sporting events he excelled in. And now, he has made me proud by completing his MBA.

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Before You Go

First Photos Of Dads And Babies
Pete & Eva(01 of55)
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"What was I thinking at this moment? Everything from the super emotional 'I'll stand in front of a speeding train for you yet I only just met you' to the pragmatic 'So this is what a combination of me and my wife looks like.' I felt more pure happiness than I can describe." (credit:Pete Meyers)
Simon & Gwyneth(02 of55)
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"Gwyneth's due date was 9/11/01. Thankfully, she waited another six days until she made her appearance in the world. She'd had to be resuscitated due to the cord being wrapped around her neck, so at this point we were just thrilled and ready for a nap." (credit:Simon Heseltine)
Damon & Sebastian(03 of55)
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"What is this thing and why do I love it so much?!" (credit:Damon Scheleur)
Scott & Zadie(04 of55)
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"I'm gonna eat you up." (credit:Farah Miller)
Steve & Lydia(05 of55)
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"She's a redhead! She's a redhead!" (credit:Liz Williams)
Peter & Leo(06 of55)
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"This was the first nap I had with our boy, Leo, after we got him home from the hospital. I was thinking how delighted I was that he was here, in our lives; that my wife was safe and healthy, and that our baby was so lovely and sweet and perfect, and that maybe neither one of would ever sleep again, so better grab it while it was available." (credit:Peter Goodman)
Ron & Emmy(07 of55)
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"To preface, I am a nervous wreck most of the time so I was totally 'freaked out' about the baby. But the first time I held Emmy, the first time she opened her eyes and gave me the once-over, the first time she grabbed my finger as if to say 'hey, Daddy,' all that worrying and freaking out ... it's all so worth it. Five and a half years later, the worrying never ends but is far surpassed by the fun, the joy, the pride, the unconditional love (well, at least most of the time)." (credit:Ron Brounes)
Ron & Zoe(08 of55)
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"Since the day my oldest daughter was born, I had been totally obsessed with her. So much so, that I worried I could never love another child as much as her. And then Zoe was born; she gave me that same initial stare; and then that first smile (maybe it was gas?); and we bonded in an instant. A friend once described to me that it's as if your heart just opens up to make room for another. And that is a pretty good description. Now I am obsessed times two (and still in a constant state of worry)." (credit:Ron Brounes)
Joel & Peyton, Joel & Logan(09 of55)
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"I'm going to give this kid the best life ... Don't think this coffee is going to be strong enough ... Never thought I could love someone this much." (credit:Bonnie Bradley)
Jamie & Nicholas, Natalie, Noelle and Nicole(10 of55)
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#1: Nicholas. "Holy sh**."
#2: Natalie. "Wait a second, I've been here before."
#3: Noelle. "I think I got this down."
#4: Nicole. "I'm a pro."
 (credit:Jenny Christensen)
Mickey & Ella(11 of55)
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"When I first met my daughter, I was overwhelmed with happiness. Usually love is an emotion that takes time to develop and grow, but when I laid my eyes on Ella for the first time, I was hooked immediately. I knew life would never be the same, in the best of ways." (credit:Mickey Seidenstein)
Steve & Sam(12 of55)
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"I really don't remember what I was thinking in that moment only vividly what I was feeling ... complete joy." (credit:Steve Rudin)
Jeffrey & Logan(13 of55)
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"Wow, I'm a dad. Too bad he looks so much like me; hope he grows out of it. I can't wait to take him to his first Texas Longhorn football game in a few months!" (credit:Jeffrey Gilbert )
Larry & Carlos(14 of55)
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I had left my wife and my first child, Carlos Miles, at the hospital and was wandering home. I was in a daze, a swirl of emotions. Suddenly a thought occurred to me: "I am man. I make son." For a moment, I was in the grip of something primal. It was heavy: as though I was experiencing something that men of all cultures and all epochs had experienced: I created a son. I felt like a caveman --dumb and in awe. Ok, it was silly and slightly overwrought, but the feeling was undeniable. Now my son is 8, and I still sometimes feel the same way. (credit:Lori Leibovich)
Adam & Evan(15 of55)
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"You run through a flood of emotions when you see your child for the first time. It's a surreal feeling knowing that you've created a life." (credit:Lindsay Cohen)
Kaya Hannah and Kingsley(16 of55)
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"My pride and joy. I was speechless, basically and in awe." (credit:Kingsley Rowe)
Adam & Lily(17 of55)
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"Ten toes- thank goodness!" (credit:Sarah Garfunkel)
Sammy and Samantha(18 of55)
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"My life just started." (credit:Sammy Carattini)
Jason & Ava Marie(19 of55)
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"It was love at first sight!" (credit:Jason White)
Amar meets Beatrix(20 of55)
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singing to his newborn baby daughter (credit:Molly Oberhausen)
I have the Best Daddy(21 of55)
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Craig and Ty un-seperable (credit:madgie4)
Emma and Daddy(22 of55)
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Father's first picture with his newborn baby girl! (credit:M. Byrne)
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