38 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Father’s Day is June 16, a time to honor the dads, stepdads and grandads in our lives and offer our gratitude for the sacrifice and devotion they show our families. We interviewed some local fathers and grandfathers to learn more about what that role means to them. FATHER AND A PASTOR Josh Walters, executive pastor at Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant, has helped raise seven children along with his wife, Katie. Their kids (four girls and three boys) range in age from 3-20. All their names begin with the letter ‘A’: Abel, Abigail, Adele, AnnaJaye, Anthem, Ari and Asher. Both Josh and Katie, who married during their senior year of college, grew up with friends who were one of seven siblings, and both wanted seven children of their own. “We thought it would be cool to have a big family,” said Josh. The ‘A’ theme of naming their kids was not an original intent. AnnaJaye was inspired by a similar name, they loved that Abigail meant “raising joy,” and they liked the name Abel. After three children though, the realization dawned. “We felt locked in at that point,” recounted Josh. “It was family For the Love of Fatherhood Different types of father figures BY COLIN MCCANDLESS Josh Walters with his wife Katie and their seven children.
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