By Agueda Pacheco
For the Kent Reporter

This year’s Father’s Day won’t just be about giving your dad gifts, but remembering the gifts your dad gave you, Kent residents said.

While taking in the sun at Kent Station, some residents took a moment to remember their dads before the holiday. Father’s Day falls on Sunday.

Yulenni Venegas said her dad taught her the meaning of morality.

“My sense of morality is influenced by him,” she said. “One of the things he told me was to always be nice to people first. He said if you’re nice to them first and they hurt you, you can destroy them.”

She described her dad as a kind and optimistic man who always wants to please others.

Dads don’t always have to be biological to be celebrated, such as Alexi Molinari’s uncle, who she said was her father figure growing up.

“My parents got a divorce so I’m not very close to my dad,” Molinari said.

Molinari said her uncle took the role of her father and guided her spiritually.

“I appreciate that he’s always been there for me. He’s been a priested holder in our house. It’s kind of a man’s role, he says prayers and gives me religious support,” she said.

David Wise, a father of three, said he looked forward to his nap.

“Theoretically, I’ll get a nap. And if I get it, (my wife) will remind me about it for the next six months,” Wise said as his wife laughed and began telling a different story.

“I have three kids and we usually make a banner and go visit all the other dads,” Jennifer Wise said.

Across the street, at the Town Square Plaza, Jennifer Jeffers talked about her plans, as well as the importance of Father’s Day.

Jeffers said her whole family goes to the Oregon Coast once a year, and that this year it happened to land on Father’s Day.

“My dad’s an amazing man. He raised five children who are strong and love God, their kids and family,” Jeffers said. “He always put his family first, and he was a great supporter of our mom in more than one way, not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually.”

She said Father’s Day is very important to her, but that it’s also a very important holiday in general.

“It’s important to celebrate our fathers. We wouldn’t be here without them. They’re an integral part of our families who need to be recognized,” she said.