It still feels almost miraculous that one book I published led me to meet my partner, and eventually connected me to Sara—an irreplaceable life.

Before marriage, even while sharing dreams and goals with my partner, I couldn’t picture us raising a family together. But when Sara was born and our family began to take shape, I discovered her strength and kindness, and something inside me began to change as well.

Thanks to this precious being, I—someone who had always lived with myself as the priority—found myself thinking more about others, gaining experiences that added depth to who I am as a person.

In her name, Sara (桜來), we placed the wish that “no matter how long the winter, spring will always come.” We hope she will grow into someone who blossoms with hope like a cherry tree.

From now on, as the three of us, I want to see the wonderful scenery that only we can share, and experience life’s joys and challenges together. Through tears and laughter, in every moment, my greatest happiness is to live as a family.

The post Feeling an Overflowing Future in Someone More Precious Than Myself appeared first on 「親子の日」Oyako Day.

Having played baseball since childhood, I am trying out various things now, hoping that he will become interested in ball games. At the moment, he can’t beat Anpanman, but I hope that we can play catch together someday.

I have a lot of business trips and busy days, but I want to get home as early as possible so that I can take a bath with him. I want to show my son a wide world and give him various experiences. To that end, I am reconsidering how I work and use my time.

When I used to live in Hiroshima, I often looked at ships. I want him to sail the ocean of life with brilliance. I named him with that feeling in mind. I’m sure that things I can’t even imagine are waiting for him from now on. It is at such times that I want him to overcome any difficulties with his natural power and generosity. I need to train hard so that I don’t lose to my son in running.

(Interviewer: Yuki Yamami / Text: Hiromi Uechi)

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Right now, I’m doing my best just to get through each day, but when I think of how these experiences will lead to the future, I want to cherish each day and spend it with a smile.

I grew up in a family-run restaurant, and the regulars loved me in place of my busy father. One of my fondest memories with my father is playing shogi (Japanese chess). We enjoy it in the same way at home, but my children have improved so quickly that we can now even hold small tournaments. I can’t wait for the day when these children grow up and tell me about their own happiness.

(Interviewed by Suzuki Shogo/Text by Uechi Hiromi)

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I feel that time spent together as a family is very precious and flows slowly. Although it can be confusing as it is my first time raising a child, I try to hold my son tight and shower him with love.

I think that the environment in which people such as fellow moms and dads, neighbors, and people I meet on the train or in stores talk to me and laugh with me is something that is only possible now while raising a child.

My only wish is that my son’s life will be rich and precious, with many encounters and lessons to learn.

(Interview: Ito Taro/Text: Uechi Hiromi)

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I’ve loved to be active since I was little, and my main hobby is watching martial arts such as karate and ball games such as table tennis on YouTube.

I have two mischievous boys, one year apart in age. Before my first son was born, I honestly wondered if I could really become a father.

It was awkward raising children, with so many things being new to me… Just as I was slowly getting used to life with my children, I was blessed with my second son.

When they were born, it was much harder than I imagined to look after them at the same time… I used all my wisdom and physical strength to find games that the siblings could play together and take them to the park. I’m always conscious of wanting to be a cool father in front of my children, who will surely become even more powerful in the future.

I also believe that it’s important to make time for my wife, and I try my best to do so. I hope that in the future, they will grow up to be kind people who care for others, as well as their family.

(Interview: Shin Ayato / Text: Hiromi Ueji)

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