I met Dr. Diarra Lamar, a three time Harvard- educated medical professional who grew up a Black, gay, heavyset man in the South. He was raised by a single mother in a family of single mothers. "Despite what one might expect, given those characteristics – that geography, those circumstances – who I am as a person has made me seemingly oblivious to those perceived constraints," he says. In 2016 he started the process to have a child. “It was a very long journey," to parenthood,” he says. There were several bumps in the road, including one of his potential surrogates having to excuse herself because her husband suffered a suicide attempt and another being involved in a major car crash right before the implantation was scheduled. In 2020 Archie was born. Today she is a curious, vibrant, well spoke two year old. She is being raised by Lamar and his mother. “"I believe that Archie is special," Lamar says. "I believe that she deserves a disproportionate share of all those things that are good, and a disproportionately low share of all those things that are bad. And I believe it is my honor, task, job, privilege to make sure that happens unapologetically." "I know that she was meant for me," he says. "I was meant for her." I’ll be sharing more of the dads stories in the next few days. Please read the full story online at @npr, words by Alana Wise. Thank you @virginialoz for understanding my vision and giving me your full support and beautiful layouts. It’s such a pleasure to work with you.