"A Different Love"
August 10, 2025 | By Chuck
I have been asked to share my thoughts on the difference between being a dad and a Pops. So, after being a Pops for nearly 6 weeks now, here goes. I will say that I have experienced many transitions in my life and this one to Pops has been my favorite and the smoothest. I remember the births of all three of my children. Those were special days and my three kids are very special to me, each of them holding a big piece of my heart. Truth is, I learned about true unconditional love from my kids. The more I learned about unconditional love as a dad, the more I understood the love God has for us, which He showed when He sent His Son to the cross in our place.
Then came June 24th and the birth of our first grandchild, Everett. I will never forget the first time I saw Everett. I moved close to him and called his name and he turned his head toward me. When my eyes caught his, it was over, I was done. I felt a whole different kind of love. It is a love that comes from a place of thankfulness. Faith and Andy had given our family the greatest gift ever. It is a proud love as I find myself wanting to tell everyone about Everett and show his pictures.
I will always love my children and have their backs no matter what. That is unconditional love. This love as a Pops is different, maybe a whole new level of love. It is hard to explain, but I can tell you it is a more relaxed love. I have felt no pressure or stress and never for a minute overwhelmed. I guess I’m more relaxed because I’m more mature and more grateful. I just know that I love Everett with all my heart. It is a different love, maybe because I am more thankful to God for every minute I have with Everett and the learned wisdom in me refuses to take any of it for granted.
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers” (Prov. 17:6). I can tell you this for sure. Fancy and Pops have successfully transitioned to their new roles and dearly love it, even if it is a different love. I believe what really makes this a different love is that Everett is the accomplishment of our kids. We all cheer on our kids their whole lives and feel so full of love and pride as we watch them accomplish their goals and dreams. Why is grandparent love different and special? Because we are blessed to be grandparents only because of the phenomenal accomplishment of our children.