Sunday marks a special holiday in my life I will get to experience from another perspective for the first time — Father’s Day.

For years, I honored my father Johnny, with that special gift or time spent with him on this day. But since he died back in 1999, I have not gotten to truly celebrate, except for honoring my father-in-law, Peter, who is a fine dad himself.

I have always wondered what it would be like becoming a father. Through 26 years of my life, I held the titles of son and husband, but had not reached the point where I would be referred to as dad. That is until last June, when my wife Michelle broke the news to me that she was pregnant. It was a feeling I will never forget.

Fast forward to present day, and I am about to enjoy my first Father’s Day with my four-month-old daughter Riley.

Though years from now she will not remember the day, my hope for now is that she looks up at me and realizes how much she is truly loved.

As for me, my hope is I can become just as good of a father as my dad was to me.

There are plenty of responsibilities that come with being a father, but equally as important is the love and support we must show them.

I had one of the best in the business raising me, not just because he taught me the ropes of life and how I must conduct myself, but because he devoted his time to showing me that he supported me in everything I did.

Whether it would be a school play, a baseball game or piano recital, when I looked out into the audience or crowd, there he would be. Now understandably, a lot of fathers are working and may not be able to make these particular functions, but many times I have seen where they could have attended, but chose to do something else.

I want to be one of those active and involved parents that make it any time they can, even if it means passing up on something I might enjoy more.

Just this past Thursday, I participated in a golf tournament and left Riley for the day. It amazed me at how much I could miss someone that does not even walk or talk yet, but there I was thinking about her.

That alone tells me I am on the right track to becoming a hero to my daughter like my dad was to me.

Without a doubt the most important value my father and mother instilled in me was religion. From a young age, they taught me about the love of Jesus Christ and how I should live my life in his eyes. That we are on this earth for a short time, and there is a place prepared for us in heaven if we commit ourselves to serving him. My every intention is to share those same values with Riley, and that I not only teach her what is right and wrong, but that I show her through the way I live my life.

I already find myself questioning what I watch on television that her young eyes and ears may see or hear. What may seem like a harmless television show to us, is actually teaching our little ones bad things.

I am not perfect, my wife is not perfect, my mother is not perfect and my father was not perfect, but we have done and our doing the best we possibly can to raise our children to be quality individuals that show respect, and in turn will be respected.

That is my hope. To be a shining light, first for God, then to my children. I want the best for my kids and the only way they can have the best is for me to do my part and show them the way.

Does setting a good example and living an exemplary life mean they will turn out just like you? Absolutely not. But at least you did your part, caring for them as any loving parent would do.

This Father’s Day, I will be grinning from ear to ear. Not only because I’ll have a precious little one smiling and giggling at my every move, but because she is going to receive the very love and attention I was given.

Now, if I could only get her to drop a hint to mommy that daddy would like a new pitching wedge.

Sports Editor Zach Kepley can be reached at 888-3631, or at kepley@tvilletimes.com.

Father’s Day takes on new meaning