Post by @the_arielb

TO THE MAN that consistently shows up, even when he technically no longer has to 🥺 People always say, “It takes a village,” but sometimes that village is built through consistency. Carl met me at FAMU 🐍 when Andre was almost 2 years old. Life didn’t take us down the forever path together, but one thing never changed—his commitment to showing up for these kids, especially Andre. He never missed the birthdays. The graduations. The milestones. He helped him earn his driver’s license, and when it was time for one of the biggest moments of his life—raising his right hand and joining the United States Army—Carl was right there, driving him to enlist. People often think co-parenting has to be full of conflict. Our story reminds me that it doesn’t. Sometimes love for a child is bigger than the relationship that brought you together. Andre has been blessed to have adults who chose him, over and over again. As his mom, I don’t take that for granted. Consistency is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child, and Carl has given that gift for years. For that, I will always be grateful. Here’s to putting children first, showing up even when it’s not required, and proving that family isn’t always defined by how a relationship ends—but by who keeps showing up long after it does. ❤️🇺🇸 @DR3🪖