5 Lessons Fatherhood and Bridges Taught Me About Strength
5 Lessons Fatherhood and Bridges Taught Me About Strength
Being a dad is a lot like building a bridge. Both are about holding things together — even when the weight gets heavy. As a structural designer, I spend my days making sure beams and columns can withstand pressure. But as a solo dad to three kids, I’ve realized that the lessons from those structures run deeper than blueprints.
Here are five lessons bridges have taught me about fatherhood — and life:
Strength Comes from What’s Underneath The most powerful parts of a bridge are the ones you don’t see — the foundations, the supports beneath the surface. Fatherhood is the same. The strength isn’t in the big moments; it’s in the small, unseen ones: late-night talks, fixing broken toys, showing up after a long day. Those quiet moments build a foundation my kids can rely on.
Flexibility is Just as Important as Strength Bridges aren’t rigid — they’re designed to flex with wind, weight, and movement. If they didn’t, they’d crack under pressure. I’ve learned to parent the same way. Being a solo dad means plans change constantly. Homework gets forgotten, guitar strings break, someone spills coffee on the way out the door. I’ve learned to bend so I don’t break.
Rust is Inevitable — and Beautiful The steel structures I photograph aren’t always polished or new. Most are weathered, rusted, and worn. But that doesn’t make them weaker. The rust tells a story of endurance, survival, and time. Fatherhood isn’t perfect, and neither am I. But the wear and tear remind me that I’m still standing — and still strong.
Every Connection Matters Bridges are held together by thousands of small, essential connections — bolts, welds, cables. Miss one, and the whole thing weakens. I think about that with my kids, too. Every conversation, every laugh, every time I put down my phone to really listen — those moments are the bolts that hold us together.
The Best Views Come After the Climb Some of my favorite photos come from places I had to work to reach — climbing up hillsides, navigating abandoned structures, or waiting through rain for the right light. Fatherhood feels the same. The tough days, the messy mornings, the moments of doubt — they make the good stuff even more beautiful. Watching my kids grow into kind, strong, thoughtful people is worth every uphill climb.
Bridges aren’t just structures to me. They’re reminders that strength isn’t about standing still — it’s about holding steady, flexing with the weight, and standing tall no matter how rough the weather gets.
That’s what I’m trying to do for my kids. And maybe, just maybe, my photos will remind someone else to keep holding on too.