The Background
I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew Tate, father, husband and man. Andrew is the owner of 28Twenty Productions.
Andrew and I met because his company created a video of wedding. From the first meeting to our final departure, Andrew was a true professional and upstanding gentleman. He was definitely a pleasure to meet, work with and I could tell his motives were in the right place. Just ask him the origination of his businesses title and you will find out what I mean.
Andrew was definitely one of the first people I wanted to interview when it came to his thoughts on manhood, fatherhood and being a husband. The manner he spoke of his wife and children showed me that he is a person of high morals and integrity. He is a great guy and true gentleman.
I hope to work with Andrew again, whether professionally or personally.
The Interview
How long have you been married?
In July of this year, my wife Annette and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary! I know ten years will be a drop in the bucket when it’s all said and done, but it feels like such a huge milestone. I’ve really been excited to hit this point because even though it’s not 40 or 50, ten years still represents so much commitment, dedication, sacrifice, and love. Ten years is a lot of peaks and valleys, a lot of change, a lot of learning about one another…and yourself! As a husband and father now, I have great respect for ANY couple who’s been married for 20, 30 years or more. To seek to join your life to someone else, to love them and put their needs ahead of your own – it’s not an easy thing! But it is a very rewarding thing, something to be proud of, to celebrate!
How many children do you have?
We have three energetic, sweet little boys. Isaiah is 5, Aidan is 3, and Ridge is 1. They keep us going, that’s for sure!
What is your most memorable moment as a father?
Wow, picking one memorable moment is a tough one! Even at my early stage of fatherhood, to look back over any number of years is to look at a great collection of moments. Many beautiful, many trying, but all memorable! I think every father will no doubt remember the moment his firstborn came into the world, because of all the sheer joy – and weight! – that comes with it! And of course that is true with each child, as well. And I think each stage with each child will bring new and memorable moments.
If I were going to choose a more recent memory that sticks out in my mind, it would be our first time camping with the boys last year. It had been a long time since Annette and I had been camping, and something we had never done together. It became something we wanted to do together with our boys – to unplug from the busy grind of life, to embrace the beautiful creation of God, to work and play and share with one another, to experience an “adventure” together as a family. It was such a great experience that we could all share with each other, one that will no doubt become a regular tradition in our family. Even now, in the dead of winter, our boys are eagerly anticipating our next camping trip!
What is your most memorable moment as a husband?
There have been three particular moments in our marriage that I’m going to mention, because all three were similar in context. Three times, Annette and I have made big, life-changing moves to another area (city and state). The first time was just before our one-year anniversary, another was three years later, shortly after the birth of our first boy, and the most recent was in 2006, shortly after the birth of our second boy. In each situation, the circumstances were unique, and our family was clearly different than before, both in size and maturity.
I’m convinced that big moments will always rear up in a marriage to test you, and they’ll show your strength or weakness as a team. Transitioning into a new life, in a new place, can be difficult no matter who you are! But each time we took a leap, we took it together. We held onto one another, and onto God, and we trusted that He would take care of us. We were fully united in the decision, and we moved forward together. Each situation was uniquely difficult, but I feel like the tough times bring us closer, make us stronger, and makes our bond that much tighter. Each trial only serves to convince me more that our marriage is built on the right things. And so, I would say that those three major moves were all big moments for me as a husband. To stare into the unknown, and to lead my family into that, believing that God would bring us through it, and THEN to finally experience the win on the other side of it – those are big moments!
What family goals do you have for 2009?
Since we’ve moved around a few times, it’s made it hard for us to establish continuity – socially, financially, etc. We really feel like this is the place we need to be, and our biggest goal is to settle into that, enjoy it, grow in it. This includes, among other things, developing relationships with people in our city, extending our lives to build into others, finding our way in a new stage of parenthood as Isaiah is getting older. We’re also continuing to build upon a goal we started last year, which is being healthy and active. It’s something that we’ve tried to involve our kids in, too. All of these goals, I suppose, revolve around personal growth and development – areas we just need to continue to learn and improve upon!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love it. It’s sad to see people look a giant obstacle in the face, and then split a relationship rather than tackle the mountain and come out victorious.
I think 10 years is a milestone, as is 30, 50 so one. So few couples make it past the first 5. And, I appreciate hearing father’s talk about honoring their children, wife, and personal community in their home.
Thanks so much for sharing your kind words, Dyan.
Andrew has done an awesome job and continues to do so. He truly enjoys being a husband, father and man.
I think you, Andy, are doing a wonderful job by posting stories of males who are men because they take care of their responsibilities.
Thank you for your feedback, Scott. I’m just trying to shed the light on those fathers do excellent jobs that do not get their deserved credit.