Having both parents in my life and married was something I did not grow to appreciate until I was 18 years old. I thought it was normal. There were so many families with married parents in the area where I went to school that I didn't think anything of it. It wasn't until college that I realized I had a unique situation.

But having a father that cared was even more unique.

When I went off to college, our relationship was glued together by letters! You mean emails or text right? No, no, I mean long handwritten letters. That started off "Hey, sonny boy." I think it was because he worked for the postal service that he thought letters were still relevant. But there was so much insight and so many gems inside the letters — from scriptures, jokes, life lessons, lyrics to songs, and he would leave $10 in there from time to time. What the heck am I going to do with $10? But it was his way of saying to save money for the future. There were times I would need rent money or things for classes and he would just send the money over. And someone would ask "How did you get that paid for?" I would say "My father," and they would say "…You lucky."

I have learned from my father's growth, from work, being married, him going back to school for more education, getting out of debt and more. I aspire to be him and take his wishes to another level and continue to build a legacy for our family. I think college was the reason my father and my relationship grew. The lesson he was trying to teach me up until 18, I didn't get until I was really faced with those issues in college.

My mother always says my dad is " Your father, life coach, bible instructor, best friend, bank and punching bag." And now, at 26, I have to agree. I can't wait to see our relationship grow as I grow.

But back to the letters… In 2014 I read them again, all 100 of them on the last day of college. I gave him a big hug on graduation because the letters played a major role in my success to this day. Side note — my college was only 55 minutes away from my parents' house!

I am excited to see Fences, there will be a direct impact on how men are viewed as providers in a family, the struggle of the father and son dynamic from the love aspect to the being a man aspect. At the end of the day, don't take anything for granted.

Brought to you by Fences, in theaters nationwide Dec. 25.

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marcusdgilmore

Writing since December 2016 · 1 story contributed