Amazing Dads Winner and Runners-up

We asked our readers to nominate someone that they think is an Amazing Dad. We had nearly 80 responses from spouses, children, grandparents, sisters and significant others who wanted to tell us about the dads in their lives. We loved reading all of your stories. There were single dads, dads who always put their kids first, divorced dads, dads who struggle with illness, yet manage to be present for their children – in short, dads who embody what it means to be a parent and proudly wear the “dad” badge.

It was nearly impossible to choose just one dad for our cover, but one nominee’s heartfelt longing to be a dad despite ongoing loss stood out. We chose Blake Sanchez as our Amazing Dad, along with six amazing runner-up dads. You can read the nominations below as well as an interview with Blake. Editor’s note: The week that we let Blake and Ashleigh know that Blake won, they had just suffered a fourth miscarriage at 16 weeks.

Photo by Makenzie Howard Photography

Amazing Dad Winner Blake Sanchez, nominated by Ashleigh Sanchez.

When I think of what makes my husband, Blake Sanchez, such an amazing father, I think about his unwavering love, hope and compassion. I think about the years he spent longing and waiting to be a father. Strength and sorrow coexisted as he held my hand while we navigated procedures, tests and the loss of three beautiful babies. He grieved, but remained steadfast and never gave up. He always believed that one day our hearts wouldn’t feel so broken.

Those moments still sting at times but are overshadowed by moments we get to experience now that were so worth the wait. I see the immense joy on Blake’s face as he holds our son, Shepherd, as he takes his first breaths. His gratitude shines through as he laughs and kicks the soccer ball with our son. I see the worry in his eyes as he wonders, “How are we supposed to do this parenting thing the right way?” His kind eyes tell me that no matter what comes our way, we will navigate it together.

An Interview with Blake

TK: Tell us a little about yourself.

Blake: I grew up in Edmond, the youngest of three boys. I’m an OSU grad. I met Ashleigh there at a game night, and we went on four dates within the first week. After graduation, we moved to Tulsa for my job. I do sales for a custom clothing retailer, and Ashleigh’s a K-1 teacher at Riverfield.

TK: In her nomination, Ashleigh was very open about your struggles to become parents. Can you tell me about that?

Blake: We had three miscarriages before we had Shep (Shepherd will be 2 in August). You never really know that can happen. You think getting pregnant is easy, but it’s not always the case. It’s such a miracle when everything goes right, and you have a healthy baby. You get your hopes up, and then the rug gets pulled out from under you. There are so many different emotions you feel.

Even today, a week after our fourth miscarriage, we were making plans, and all of a sudden our world is turned upside down. I’m trying to process it. There’s anger, confusion, sadness. You question a lot of things. Most people don’t talk about miscarriage. It’s like a hidden pain. But when you do talk about it, you find that other people have gone through it.

TK: What advice can you give to people in supporting a couple who have experienced a miscarriage?

Blake: Just having people say, “I’m thinking about you” or “I’m praying for you guys.” We’ve had people send us flowers, which really brightens our day. Even just sending a message or saying, “I don’t know what to say, but I love you and care about you” is enough. It validates your feelings.

TK: You have your son Shepherd. How has your loss informed your feelings about him and the relationship you want to have?

Blake: I just look at him differently. When I see him, he’s my world. I’m in awe that he’s here. We’ve longed for this time so much. We always knew we wanted to be parents. We have a great relationship with our parents. My dad was my soccer coach, he taught me how to ski and how to fish. He did my homework with me. I still have a great relationship with him. We lean on each other emotionally.

TK: What is the best thing about being a dad?

Blake: Hearing Shep’s laugh when I push him around in the backyard in his little toy truck or throw him up in the air. Seeing joy in his face lights up my face. He’s such a bubbly, fun little boy. Everything is new to him.

Photo by Makenzie Howard Photography

TK: What do you think are the most important qualities for being a good dad?

Blake: Gentleness, patience and, for me personally, being connected to Jesus to walk in the spirit. Also, spending intentional time together, and learning to communicate.

TK: What are your hopes for you and Shep and your future relationship as dad and son?

Blake: I think about how I want him to see me and how I would want him to look up to me. I want to teach him how to build stuff and to read. He’s starting to talk, so teaching him words. I think about questions like: What do I want our life to look like? How can I help him put his best foot forward?

I’m fortunate that I have a job where I can be home for dinner every night. We eat dinner at the same time every night. We have a routine, we take a bath, we read. I find the most joy in those little moments.

TK: What is the most surprising or unexpected thing about being a dad?

Blake: I didn’t realize how often they would get sick. Overall, I had the mindset that I would take things as they come and roll with it. I told my mom after Shep was born, “I feel like I just started living. Part of me just came alive. Now my purpose is to love and provide for this little baby.”

Runner-up Amazing Dads

Jay Keywood, nominated by Sarah Keywood.

My husband, Jay, is a fabulous father of five! Our oldest three are adopted, and he did not hesitate to lead the way with an open heart to begin our family with adoption and be a special needs dad. Recently he had the school staff at our children’s school tell him what wonderful job they think he is doing as a parent. I am honored to get to see it every day. He is the best there is.

Brian Siemens, nominated by Christina Siemens.

My husband, Brian, is the most amazing dad! My job requires me to be away from home during the week, and I’m only home on the weekends. He is a stay-at-home dad, and we have seven adopted children from foster care. He is also a mentor for one of our childrens’ older siblings. Five of our children still live at home, and he is the sole provider to them during the week.

Our children have experienced significant trauma; therefore, they require additional support and medication. He ensures all of their needs are met, takes them to therapy/doctor appointments, gets them ready for school, transports them to sports practices and, most importantly, loves and dotes on them. His patience and understanding of their unique and individual needs are extremely admirable. He’s the best dad to children who need a positive relationship the most, and I love him for that!

Nathan Franklin, nominated by Elizabeth Franklin (and his kids).

I am nominating my brother, Nathan Franklin, on behalf of my niece and nephew. These are the reasons why they believe he deserves to win this contest:

“Since our parents are divorced, we live mostly with our dad. He runs 5K races with me, he took us to Europe, he wakes up an hour early every day just to spend time with me. I can tell him anything. He cooks my favorite foods. He takes me on bike rides. He tucks me in bed every night. He watches Adam Sandler movies with me all the time and he is the most loving person you would ever want to meet. He works very hard every day to balance work and family time. He puts me first before work. My dad is a superhero because he saves my heart from being lonely every day.”
-Ellie Franklin, 9

“He is cool, he is fun, he tucks me in, he is my soccer coach and he calls me ‘little man.’ He’s good at wrestling me and snuggling me. He gave me his teddy bear, Winkie, that he had when he was a kid. He is really, really fun as a dad.”
-Jack Franklin, 6

Perry, nominated by Felicia Becknell.

My amazing dad nomination is named Perry! Periwinkle for short. He is a single father of two teenagers. He works at a local factory and puts in around 10-12 hours a day. He tries. And he’s tired most days. But if his kids want to go to the park or do something fun, he never says no! I’m proud of him because most kids don’t tell a parent that.

Joel Horst, nominated by Julia Horst.

My husband, Joel Horst, is currently battling stage 4 colorectal cancer. Even through every-other-week chemotherapy the past two years, he’s been an amazing dad to our two sons (Garrett, 7, and Ethan, 3). Whether it’s helping the toddler go potty or taking the oldest to basketball practice, he’s an amazing dad who should be recognized!

Jared Pooler, nominated by Anne White.

Jared Pooler is the single father of my autistic 9-year-old grandson. He is amazing because he is the sole caretaker and provider. He works very hard to provide for his son, but also is a great parent regarding boundaries and consistent discipline.