Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for May is John Nixon, a working father of three boys.

John Nixon is an extremely busy man. He works full time, coaches soccer and baseball, and is involved in the Indian Guides with his oldest son. He is also about to take computer and business classes to improve his job standing. But he still dotes on his wife, Melissa, changes diapers, steps in to help without being asked and keeps his family as the number one priority in his life. "It was my destiny to be a father to David, Steven and Jeffrey," says Nixon. "If I will never be anything more, then I am more than I could have ever hoped for."

The first time Nixon became a father and held his new baby, he was overcome with emotion. "I was overwhelmed, numb, proud, scared and full of joy all at the same time." He wondered how he was going to raise someone so small. But a few years down the road and two children later, he realized he was very much at home being a father.

Overcoming Loss
The Nixon's felt the birth of their third child was a completion of their destiny. "My wife and I believe there are forces in this world we cannot explain," he says. "These forces talk to us if we listen hard enough." Melissa had a miscarriage of twins during the twelfth week of her second pregnancy. The Nixons heard the heartbeats and then lost the babies. They were left feeling that there were still children they were supposed to have. "I knew Steven and Jeff were those two babies we lost given back to us," he says. "The birth of our third son finally made the gnawing feeling go away."

For Nixon, one of the best rewards of fatherhood is coming home and getting tackled and hugged by his kids. His biggest challenges are finding ways to spend more time with his children and setting good examples for them. "My biggest challenge is that I am the single most important male role model for my sons and I don't want to screw it up."

Source of Strength
John is an amazing, generous man with a limitless supply of love for his family, but he doesn't take full credit for his abilities as a father. His wife has been a source of strength and love since they were teenagers. "I am the man I am because of my wife," he says. "She is my heart, she is my one true love. Melissa has been there for me always. She married me and made me a husband, gave me three sons and made me a father. As we grow old together, she will continue to bring me great joy and happiness as we watch our sons grow into men."

Nixon's father was also a powerful influence in his life. Not only did he dish out unconditional love for his four children, put them through college and stand by them through the worst of times, but he did it all tirelessly while he had muscular dystrophy. Because of his father's amazing example, John Nixon realized being a strong role model for his own children was something he wanted.