Adrian lives in Chandler, Arizona, and is a single dad raising his young son, whom he adopted alongside his husband in 2017. Tragically, Adrian’s husband passed away in 2021, leaving him to navigate fatherhood on his own. His parenthood story is a testament to love, perseverance through unimaginable grief, and the transformative power of fatherhood.

The Beginning of a Dream

“I always knew I wanted to be a father, even before I met my husband,” Adrian shared. Growing up in a small, supportive town, Adrian was surrounded by love and acceptance, which shaped his desire to one day provide the same environment for his own child.

Adrian and his husband had been together for several years and had talked about adoption when an unexpected opportunity arose. “My husband’s niece approached us about adopting her child,” Adrian explained. “It was a surprise, but the timing felt right.”

The couple embarked on the adoption process, navigating the complexities of Arizona’s legal system, where they lived at the time. The journey presented unique challenges as Arizona’s adoption laws had not yet fully aligned with federal guidelines for same-sex couples. “It wasn’t easy,” Adrian admitted, “but with the support of our families, we made it through.” Their son was born in September 2016, and by February 2017, they were officially his adoptive parents.

A Family United

The first time Adrian held his son remains one of the most vivid moments of his life. “I remember walking into the hospital room, looking at this tiny baby, and feeling an instant connection,” he said. “When they handed him to me, I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude.”

That moment was followed by another significant milestone: the legal recognition of their parental rights. “After all the challenges we faced, having the court officially grant us full parental rights was an incredible feeling of accomplishment,” Adrian said.

A Shared Dream and an Unimaginable Loss

Adrian spoke warmly of his husband, the person with whom he shared this dream. “We met several years ago and had an immediate connection,” he recalled. Their relationship was a foundation of love and mutual respect, built around the goal of creating a supportive, loving family.

In 2021, Adrian’s husband passed away after a long battle with addiction. “It was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced,” Adrian admitted. “The grief was not just mine—it was also my son’s.” It left a hole in their family, but it also brought them closer together, kept them moving forward, and created positive memories.

Adrian’s journey with grief has been both challenging and illuminating. “Dealing with addiction as a partner and family member is incredibly difficult,” he said. “It’s a journey that often feels isolating and overwhelming.” Adrian recognizes the crucial support of groups like Al-Anon and CODA (Co-Dependents Anonymous) in his healing journey, and the lifelines they provided to navigate the complexities of addiction and grief.

Through his own experience, Adrian highly encourages anyone facing similar struggles to seek out support groups.

Evolving as a Single Parent

Transitioning to single parenthood has tested Adrian’s resilience in countless ways. “It’s been a huge adjustment,” he said. “There are moments when it feels overwhelming having to make every decision on my own.”

Despite the difficulties, Adrian finds strength in the bond he shares with his son. “We’ve gone through grief together, and it’s deepened our connection. He’s my rock, and I hope I’m his.”

Adrian has also found solace in rediscovering his love for dance. “Becoming a dance fitness instructor has been therapeutic for me,” he shared. “It allows me to express myself and connect with others while doing something I love.” He’s even involved his son in dance, teaching him to channel emotions through movement.

Advice for Other Dads

Adrian’s advice for other single dads, especially those navigating loss, is simple yet profound: “Don’t be afraid to lean on others. It’s okay to be vulnerable, to ask for help. Healing is a process… you don’t have to do it alone.”

He encourages fellow fathers to embrace self-care and find outlets for emotional expression. For Adrian, it’s dance. For someone else, it might be something different, but finding that release is so important.

Adrian also stresses the value of open communication. “As a father, I am committed to creating an environment where my son feels safe to talk about his own feelings, and I encourage other dads to do the same.” Grief can feel incredibly isolating, but Adrian doesn’t want other dads and parents to feel this way.

“We don’t have to do this alone.”

Moving Forward with Hope

Through all the challenges, Adrian remains committed to creating a loving, supportive environment for his son. “I’m so proud of the family we’ve built,” he said. “Every day, I’m thankful for the love and support around us.”

As Adrian reflects on his journey, he offers a message: “To anyone out there who is grieving, whether you’ve lost a loved one to addiction, illness, or any other heartbreaking circumstance, please know that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to take time, to feel the pain, and to ask for help.”

“Even in the darkest moments, there is hope.”

In Chandler, Arizona, Adrian and his son are a family defined by resilience, love, and an unbreakable bond—a reminder that even in the face of loss, hope and healing are possible.