There’s a saying that ‘any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy’. So proves Richard King, Basil Carey and Andre Carr — three men we asked to share about what it means for them to be a dad.

In the beginning stages fatherhood often involves sleepless nights and countless dirty diapers, but as children get older it’s more about teaching them values and important life lessons.

It’s a challenging job, but the rewards can make life so much sweeter.

Read these three men’s touching stories about how fatherhood has taught and inspired them — and don’t forget to honour that special man in your life on Father’s Day this Sunday.

Richard King — Father to stepson London

It takes a big-hearted man to raise a child who’s not biologically his own.

Mr King stepped up to the plate to be a godfather to London, after he was asked by the newborn’s mother and long-time friend, Velina Wheatley.

He said he was “honoured” to be given the important role, especially after learning the youngster’s biological father wasn’t actively involved in his life.

But then in a twist of fate Mr King and Ms Wheatley fell in love and got married last month.

Now he is learning how to be a stepfather to the three-year-old.

Mr King said: “Velina [had always] stressed the importance of my role as his godfather because it really does take a village to raise a child and London needed a strong male role model in his life.

“I had already been helping to raise him at that point, so it wasn’t an issue for me.

“So when Velina and I decided to get married the transition to stepfather was an easy one since I was already playing an active role in his life.”

Mr King said the only thing that’s really changed now is his title, but they also get to spend more time together now that they are living together.

The best part of being involved in London’s life has been seeing him develop from a newborn to a preschooler — and knowing that he has played a significant role in that development.

“[For instance] I remember when he would just babble to me, now we have long conversations!”

The biggest challenge of becoming a new dad has been the “long, tedious process” of potty training. However, Mr King said he has learned to be patient and not give up.

“I believe the best information you can get on how to raise a child comes from the Bible,” he explained.

“I feel a lot of parents fail to institute good healthy Godly values when they raise their children and they suffer because of it. When you put God first you can’t go wrong.”

Another thing he has learned is the importance of living by example, rather than just telling a child about what’s right or wrong.

It’s not easy being a father, so Mr King’s biggest piece of advice to other dads is to stay the course.

“There will be ups and downs to fatherhood, but the reward of seeing your son or daughter progress successfully in life, due to your love and knowledge you instilled in them, is priceless,” he said.

He wants to start this Father’s Day by going out for breakfast with his family, followed by a day at the beach.

“London has a toy race boat we haven’t put in the water yet, so it would be nice to test that out,” he said. “I just want a relaxing day with them.”

Basil Carey — Father to twins Nicholas and Leah Carey

When Mr Carey became a first-time father to not one, but two babies, it was an exciting and nervous time in his life.

“It was a surreal experience being in the delivery room for the birth of my twin boy and girl,” Mr Carey explained.

“I was also worried for my wife as she had to have a Caesarean due to the positioning of the twins in the womb. So I prayed for her to pull through a dangerous procedure and also for the health of my twins.

“All worked out well and before I knew it I’d experienced the most beautiful thing to happen to my life — twice.”

Since then he said his favourite part of fatherhood has been watching his son and daughter grow daily.

“Just observing them fills my heart with a joy I had never known before,” he said.

But the role of father has also come with some challenges. Mr Carey had to adjust to a brand new schedule and sleep pattern.

Getting both babies down to sleep at the same time was his new number one goal after bringing the twins home.

It proved to be an exhausting time in his life, but it was made easier with lots of family support.

“I overcame these challenges by living by my new motto, ‘Take one day at a time’,” he said.

“Family support from my wife and my relatives (especially the twins’ grandmothers) has been crucial to our sanity and survival as well.

“It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child so you can only imagine what it takes with two.”

More than anything else he aims to be a positive example for his children.

He said: “I truly believe you’re a product of your environment and that a child learns the most from his parents, her home.

“I aim to teach them honesty, good manners and above all positive spirituality. So, like me, if they happen to slip up once or twice they will have the right foundation to find themselves when it matters most.”

He plans to spend this Father’s Day along with some special people in his life — his grandpa, dad, and of course the twins.

At some point during the day he will probably be watching the World Cup, he said.

Andre Carr — Father to daughter Anna and younger son Asa

For as long as Mr Carr can remember he’s hoped to be, not just a father, but a great one.

Like many other men he envisioned he would have all boys and that they would all be athletic and highly intelligent.

He learned quickly that God had other plans for his life.

“I lost my first child Asher at birth,” Mr Carr said. “This hurt me deeply and left me without comfort because my role was to comfort my wife who was equally devastated.

“My second child Anna was a girl. What I quickly learned is that I needed a daddy’s little girl and I am externally grateful for her.

“Then I was truly blessed with my son Asa who has Down syndrome. At birth he presented a lot of scary challenges and uncertainties.

“In short becoming a father was not how I envisioned it.”

But over time, Mr Carr said fatherhood has shaped him and made him better than he ever imagined.

“We often think of parenting as what I am going to teach my children,” he said. “I dare say I have learned more from my children than I have taught them.

“As to overcoming, they have taught me to stay on my knees praying, to be more patient and to sacrifice.”

He said the greatest joy he has received so far as a father is hearing what others have said about his children.

Mr Carr said his son and daughter each have their own way of lighting up a room when they step into it. Seeing how they represent him at school, church or social gatherings has made him extremely proud.

The family makes it a priority to have daily meals together at which point he goes over what he calls ‘The Carr Commandments’.

“I have given my children ten commands on how to live and my expectations for them as my children,” he said.

“We follow the mandate of Deuteronomy 6 to diligently teach our children while we sit, when we go for walks, at bed time and in the morning. Repetition is important when raising children, but more importantly is being that example before them.”

He said his ideal way to spend Father’s Day would be to attend church at White Hill Gospel Chapel in Sandys, where he will be preaching this weekend, followed by a boat outing with some other male friends and their children.