Grits & Grace: Celebrating the Many Faces of Fatherhood This Father’s Day

Dear Readers,

Father’s Day is a moment to pause and honor the men who have shaped our lives—the ones who have stood by us with strength, offered wisdom, and shown us love that carries us through. But fatherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not just about biology or tradition. It’s about the grit and grace shown by every man who steps up, whether he’s a dad, a grandfather, a mentor, or a friend who became family.

This year, I want to celebrate the many faces of fatherhood—those quiet heroes who may not always be in the spotlight but whose impact runs deep in our hearts and stories.

For some of us, father figures have been a steady rock, a guiding light, and a source of endless encouragement. For others, the journey has been more complicated—with absence, pain, or healing still on the path. To everyone reading this, know that your story matters. Fatherhood wears many hats, and love comes in many forms.

I think about the strength it takes to show up, day after day, to teach, to protect, and to love—even when it’s hard. That’s the grit. And the grace? That’s the patience, the forgiveness, and the tenderness that often go unseen but make all the difference.

So today, let’s honor the fathers who taught us how to be resilient, the mentors who filled the gaps, the grandfathers who shared wisdom over a cup of coffee, and the friends who showed us what unconditional love looks like.

And for those of you who feel the ache of missing a father’s presence, or who have struggled to find peace with that relationship, I see you. Healing is a journey, but hope is alive, and love can still find you—sometimes from places you least expect.

If you have a father figure in your life, take a moment to reach out. Send a message, write a letter, or simply say “thank you” for the role they play. Sometimes the simplest acts of appreciation carry the biggest weight.

Fatherhood isn’t perfect. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s powerful. And through it all, it’s marked by grit and grace.

Wishing all fathers and father figures a blessed day filled with love, honor, and joy.

With grits and grace,

Just Catrina