McKinstry’s Marchello Galvez on Celebrating Father’s Day

My wife and I have three kids, including identical twin sons who are 15 (soon to be 16) and a daughter who is 11. One of the coolest things about being a parent is realizing that, despite expecting your kids to be just like you, they truly become their own person, with their own quirks and likes or dislikes. It’s amazing to witness.

My birthday is on June 19th, so it often coincides with Father’s Day, and my kids were born on June 23rd, making June a fun time for our family. We usually celebrate Father’s Day with a family BBQ or I take a free day to go golfing — both are rewarding. For me, Father’s Day is a reflection of how fast time goes, especially with kids. For example, when my kids were babies, I couldn’t wait to go for a walk with them, and when they were walking, I couldn’t wait to play catch with them. I began to learn to enjoy each moment rather than always looking forward to the next milestone because they grow up before you know it.

My mom was the main paternal figure in my life. She was diligent, kind, open, and honest and she instilled the concept of “treat others how you want to be treated.” She managed a roller rink when I was growing up so I would spend a lot of time there and I always admired how she interacted with her customers and employees. She has always been a great role model for me.

Additionally, my scoutmaster had a significant impact on my life by allowing us to fail and learn from our mistakes rather than always looking over our shoulders to make sure we were doing things the right way. If I were to give fatherly advice, it would be to let your kids fail but be there to help them pick up the pieces because that is how they truly learn.

I would hope to pass on the concept of being patient and leading with your expectations rather than keeping them hidden. I would advise future parents to stay engaged and curious about their kids’ lives and, most importantly, to enjoy every minute because life happens so fast.