Fatherhood vs Dadhood

As I sat on the couch weary eyed from lack of sleep clutching our little guy tightly against me in a futile attempt to get him to fall asleep my mind pondered the difference between being a father and being a dad. To me anyone can be a father, because this is a biological distinction bestowed upon the conception of a child. However, not all fathers are dads and not all dads are fathers. Earning the label of dad comes in the trenches of parenting maybe while changing diapers in a public restroom, it may come after consecutive nights of 3am wake up calls to soothe your little one back to sleep for an hour, or it may even come as you fight your teenager when they try to run with the wrong crowd. Whatever brings it the path is not easy and the distinction brings whatever glory you afford it. This led me to think about celebrities who may never have to change a diaper or stay up late with their kid and what they think makes a dad vs. a father. A dad knows what his kid smells like good or bad, a dad can tell when his kid is really hungry or just looking for some attention, and a dad exists in the trenches of parenthood at it's least appealing moments.  I don't mean to suggest that in order to be a dad you have to do all of the dirty work, but you need to be hands on.  I hope that those fortunate enough to have additional help with their kids still have the opportunity to be hands on and live as dads instead of only as fathers.