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‘When I make her laugh, it is the most beautiful thing’

Editor’s Note:
In celebration of Father’s Day, MAS Magazine profiled two local fathers whose children have taught them the meaning of being a good dad.

Christopher Giltner was in college and living in the dorms when he learned he was going to be a dad.

The 22-year-old Cal State Bakersfield student was surprised when his then-girlfriend,  Angel, broke the news.

“I was scared and unsure of what would happen, but I told her we were going to do this,” he said. “We are going to get an apartment, and we are going to raise this baby.”

Christopher and Angel moved out of the dorms into an apartment and got married. Before their baby, Genevive Miquela Giltner, was born, Christopher had to work two jobs to support his new little family.

“It was really hard to balance things. I my schedule was filled up by school, family and work. I didn’t have any free time,” he said.

And for a time Christopher admits dropping out of college seemed tempting.

“Not continuing school crossed both our minds, but we just kept charging along. That is all you can do,” Christopher said.

Today Christopher is still continuing his education, as is Angel who is a full-time student and stay-at-home mom. Christopher goes to school full time and works at the Kern County Juvenile Hall as a group counselor. Their daughter is now one years old.

“I wouldn’t change anything that happened for the world. It was difficult in the beginning but I still had time for my family, which is the ultimate thing,” Christopher said.

Angel said he has proven to be a supportive father.

“He has been really good at keeping things together during stressful times,” she said. “Genevive used to be a mama’s girl, but now she has become a daddy’s girl. Christopher is very playful with her and spoils her when he gets a chance.”

Christopher looks forward to getting home from work and being greeted by his little
girl.

“I enjoy it when she smiles and calls me ‘papa.’ When I make her laugh, it is the most beautiful thing,” he said.

“When I get home she runs to the door with her arms out and gives me a nice hug, smile and a kiss. She makes me feel so great to be home and it is one of the things that makes me feel her love.”

Sometimes, it only takes one

Many single men in their 30s might be busy shopping for the latest car or hanging out with their buddies at a cool bar.

Johnny Gonzalez, 34, hangs and shops with his favorite buddy of all, his three-year-old son, Ricky Gonzalez.

The hairstylist is raising his son on his own.
Gonzalez got full custody of his son at birth. Raising him on his own has been the best gift he’s ever had.

 “I had always wanted to be a parent. I just never got the relationship thing right,” he said.

Gonzalez knows he is going against the common misconception that a family has to have a mom and a dad. But that’s OK.

“Ricky has everything he needs,” he said. “I used to live vicariously through my nieces and nephews, but now I have Ricky who gives me unconditional love and has filled a void I didn’t know I had.”

Gonzalez likes to take Ricky swimming and to eat at some of his favorite spots, including McDonald’s, Casa Muñoz and Panda Express.

“I want to give Ricky the life I didn’t have,” Gonzalez said. “I want to give him emotional support and encouragement.”