Papa, daddy, and dad are some of the titles we use to relate to our fathers. Their unwavering support, fair compromises, and love help fuel dreams and inspire us to reach for the stars.

We love that there is a special day designated for celebrating fathers. For this Father’s Day, we caught up with one of our Yello dads, Mariano Williams, who shared one thing about fatherhood that surprised him and what he’s looking forward to this year.

Mariano is a publishing officer in our Belize office and is a proud father and grandfather. His extensive career in directory publishing started in 2004. However, he’s worked with our company since 2014. He enjoys basketball, fishing, and volleyball.

What is one thing about fatherhood that surprised you?

Fatherhood is hard! I became a father at 18, and I’m a father to five sons. With five sons, discipline was most challenging. I wasn’t always around because I was also an immigration officer and sometimes had postings away from home. So, it took a lot of focus to keep them from falling into the wrong “crowd” and on the straight path. No manual, tutorial or anyone can adequately prepare or tell you how to succeed. You have to rely on parental instinct.

How have you used it in your relationship with your children? 

I have tried showing them that you don’t have to be perfect to appreciate what you have and not take life for granted.

What are you looking forward to this Father’s Day? 

I enjoy spending Father’s Day with my family. It’s a day to relax, play some feech (dominoes) with my sons, and have a beer or two. I may also take on lifeguard duties for my grandkids by the pool. 

What is one thing that would make this Father’s Day memorable for you?

Any time spent with family is pleasant and memorable. I’m looking forward to it.

Thank you for sharing with us, Mariano. We wish you a happy and enjoyable Father’s Day with your family! We hope you enjoyed this article and would like to read about what some of our other Yello fathers say about fatherhood and this Father’s Day. Head to our Find Yello lifestyle section for more!

*All images provided by M. Williams.