Chris Tillman and Melinda Middleton

“Daughters need someone to boost their confidence—a father to say, ‘You’re beautiful,’ so they won’t look to someone else. For males, they need someone to teach them how to be a man and be able to say, ‘My father was there for me.’ Those are things I can’t do, so I think it’s really important for fathers to be in their kids’ life as much as possible.” —Melinda

“I think it’s really important for fathers to be in their kids’ life as much as possible... ”

Chris and Melinda both grew up in Baltimore. When their daughter, Myana, was a year old, Melinda again became pregnant. As a couple, they were going through a difficult time, and while at the hospital, they were encouraged to participate in CFUF’s Building Strong Families program. The program helped them create a cohesive family. As a child, Melinda wanted to be a pediatrician because she liked her doctor so much, but now she is completing her college degree and wants to work with children in a different way, teaching elementary school and perhaps opening a day-care center. Chris is doing landscape work but is considering other options—carpentry and construction.