Being a parent is a 24/7 job in itself, let alone working full-time as well. From soccer practices and family dinners, to work deadlines and presentations, we have nothing but respect for the phenomenal parents at ONEHOPE. This is why we decided to write a blog highlighting some of the amazing, superhero dads in our office and all that they do. See what it’s like to live a day in their shoes with our fun Father’s Day questionnaire below!
Meet Tom: President, Co-Founder
Q: What does your morning routine look like?
A: One of my children wakes me up at 5:45 to 6:15. Make a milk drink for one of them. Turn on Disney Channel for my middle child and some days (not all days) take my son in a jogging stroller for a run. Drive my eldest daughter to school. One of my favorite parts of the day.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
A: I have three kids and watching them become little people is amazing. They all have different idiosyncrasies that is really fun to watch and be part of on a daily basis. The absolute best part of being a dad is the way they greet you when you come home from work. The energy and excitement makes me feel like I am rock star. This won’t last forever but I am going to enjoy it for sure.
Q: What’s the most important life lesson you’ve taught your kids?
A: Wow. I take the lead on lessons from my wife, but the most important life lesson is it is alright to fail, fall off a bike, roller skating, etc. Life is about getting up, dusting yourself off and moving on.
Q: How do you balance working full time and being a dad?
A: That is a good question. I am trying to work on this for sure. I will say the balance is showing them that work doesn’t have to be horrible or depressing. One of my daughters was asked when she was in preschool what I did for living and she told her teacher that I went to an office and talk to my friends. She was right.
Q: What’s your favorite memory (so far) you have of your children?
A: Favorite memory isn’t one moment but the day to day. Dinners as a family where they are telling stories or making eachother laugh. They grow so fast that I better start taking notes before they are grown up and running ONEHOPE with their friends.
Q: What’s the best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received?
A: My pick of dinner on that day!
Meet Matt: VP of Engineering
Q: What does your morning routine look like?
A: I normally wake up at 8:00 am, quickly check for slack/email fires, and then split up the duties to get the kids ready for school. Kids are gone with mom to school by 8:25 am. Then I take 15 minutes to catch up on news, stocks, crypto currencies, etc, then full in on work by 9:00 am. On my weekly flights to LA, I’ll get up at 5:30 am, pack up and be outside for my Lyft by 6:10 am. Arrive at SJC airport by 6:30 am and take the 7:25 am flight to LAX. Arrive in LAX about 8:40 am. Take another Lyft at 9:00 am and arrive at the El Segundo office by 9:20 am or so.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
Enjoying the fact that my kids miss me and hug me when I come home from my weekly trip to LA because one day that will all end. The other thing is being able to show my kids interests that I never got to do as a child to see if they find something they are passionate about.
Q: What’s the most important life lesson you’ve taught your kids?
A: Share everything and take turns.
Q: How do you balance working full time and being a dad?
A: There is no balance — I’m on call 24/7 for both!
Q: What’s your favorite memory (so far) you have of your children?
Too many to count. Recordings of our kids babbling when toddlers, and when they actually tell each other they are best friends (for less than 20 seconds).
Q: What’s the best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received?
Hand drawn cards from the kids.
Meet Matt: Creative Director
Q: What does your morning routine look like?
A: I wake up at 4am-ish usually (mostly because that’s the only time it’s quiet). I get a little work done, take a shower, read some news and then…it’s game time. I’m the only morning person in the family so I wake everyone up, then make coffee for mama, then re-wake-up everyone. I then do dishes and set out the clothes for the kiddos. Now it’s time for the kids to eat, get dressed, and brush their teeth (sometimes slightly raising my voice to kick ’em into hi-gear). Then I do the school drop off, say the pledge of allegiance and jump on the bike and start my ONEHOPE day!
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
A: I really really enjoy repeating myself–if you like that too, then definitely become a father. AND since I am a hopeless romantic, I’m a sucker for one or both of my kids to scream, “bye dad, I love you” when they walk the school line.
Q: What’s the most important life lesson you’ve taught your kids?
A: I constantly remind them to pick their battles. (This is not just a kid thing.)
Q: How do you balance working full time and being a dad?
A: If you cannot afford a surrogate dad, then you will fail at this part miserably…but small giggles and sunday morning cuddles will more than make up for the imbalance.
Q: What’s your favorite memory (so far) you have of your children?
A: There are soooo many. I really can’t even begin to pick one. But I’d have to say the most shining moments involve watching both my kids laughing together. (Teaching them to ride a bike also ranks up there!)
Q: What’s the best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received?
Just knowing that my kids are healthy and happy is honestly the best gift…oh, and 15-year-old scotch is nice too.
Give Dad a Gift that Gives Back
We hope you enjoyed meeting some of the incredible fathers at ONEHOPE! If you aren’t sure what to get dad this year for Father’s Day, shop our Gift Guide for Guys and get them a present that gives back to a cause you care about.
Cheers!
The ONEHOPE Wine Team
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