Torres: Thankful for being a dad

For many, that special Sunday in June designated as Father’s Day is a time to reflect and express appreciation to fathers for all they’ve done for the benefit of their family.

But for Stanley Torres Jr., the day is a time for him to be grateful for being able to give service to his son, Nathan, and wife, Juanny.

“I don’t consider Father’s Day as a time for people or wives to thank men because of all they did,” he said. “Being there 24/7 for my son and my wife…I’m thankful that I am there for that. I don’t want my family to be thankful for me; I want to be thankful that I am there when they need me.”

It was almost 20 years ago when Torres, now chief of the Commonwealth Ports Authority Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Division, took on the responsibilities of being a husband. Two years later, the two were filled with joy as they welcomed young Nathan to the world.

“It was planned,” Torres said. “We got married, and waited two years, and so after two years of being together, we planned for our child. I was in the Air Force when I got the news that I was going to be a father. My wife and I were in Los Angeles, and I was very happy and excited.”

Torres was later stationed in Korea during his wife’s pregnancy, resulting in his wife moving to Guam.

“She couldn’t come with me, so she went to Guam. So I was so anxious to go to Guam.”

On May 3, 1986, Torres received word on his son’s birth.

“I was in Korea, and the next day, I was on a flight from Korea to Guam…courtesy of the military to go visit my son. Since Day 1 of his birth until now, it’s been 18 wonderful years with my son and my wife.”

With that, Torres described how his life took a different meaning.

“Women have diamond rings on their finger. Well, my son is like my diamond, my gold that no matter what we go through in life, whether its argument or whatever, he knows that I’m always there for him and I love him. He is with me, and I am always there to support him. He’s the diamond in my life and in the wife’s life.”

Torres also paid tribute and credited his father, former Rep. Stanley Torres, for the values instilled in him that plays an important role in being a father to his son.

“My father is the greatest man in the world to me because he cares for his family and also cares for the people here in the CNMI. He has taught me to be kind and humble to everyone, and to treat everyone with respect no matter what they do. I try to teach that to my son, and I do believe and strongly feel that [my son] is a very humble person. People do come up and tell me how good a kid he is and how kind and humble he is, and that makes me feel good and proud.”

Nathan Torres is currently in San Diego, pursuing a college degree.

For some parents, their responsibilities are considered complete after a child turns 18, but for Torres, not even college life or his son having a family of his own will change anything.

“My job with my son is never complete,” he said. “I am 40 years old and when I need help, my father is always there for me, no matter what. Through thick and thin, even though my son will soon have a family of his own, I will still be there for him. That’s what I believe parents and fathers do.”

Throughout 18 years of being a father, Torres said several important aspects he pushed to instill in his son is the value of respect and the importance of having a relationship with God.

“I raised him and taught him to respect life and everything, and always ask God for help…to pray to God to guide him, and he does that. You can’t do anything without the Lord’s help. When things get worse, even the worst people in the world turn to praying.”

Torres left for Guam yesterday, where he and his wife will celebrate 20 years of marriage.

“We got married 20 years ago on June 23, and I’m going to celebrate that and get 20 years more,” he said.