Being a father is a dream shared by many, a hope that brings joy and meaning to life.
For Khaleeq Shahzada, 37, that dream was something he held onto quietly for more than ten years.
It wasn’t easy watching others around him start families, feeling the passing of time and wondering if his own chance would ever come.
“I think the moment I truly realised I wanted to become a father wasn’t a big dramatic event. It was a slow build. I got married in 2012 and for a while, life just moved along.
"But over time, especially seeing friends and family start their own families, I began to feel something shift inside me. It wasn’t just about having a child, it was about wanting to guide, protect and love someone in a way I hadn’t experienced before," he said to Sinar Daily.
This Father’s Day, Khaleeq will celebrate with his infant daughter, a celebration that is both intimate and meaningful after years of longing, doubt and perseverance.
For over a decade, Khaleeq and his wife endured a rollercoaster of emotions. The wait was marked by moments of doubt and heartache, tempered with hope and faith.
"There were times when I felt like I was running out of hope. After years of trying and waiting, it’s hard not to start questioning yourself, wondering if it’s ever going to happen," he said.
What kept him going? Support, he said. “Especially from my wife. Even when things felt heavy, we made space to talk, cry, laugh and just be there for each other. We reminded ourselves that this journey wasn’t just ours, it was part of something bigger.”
Khaleeq’s wife played an important role in keeping their spirits up, often reminding him to stay grounded.
“Even while carrying so much herself, she would tell me to have faith, to be patient and to believe that our time would come. That partnership made all the difference," he recalled.
The moment that changed everything
In 2024, the couple’s prayers were answered. Khaleeq remembers the moment he learned he would become a father.
“Honestly, I was in shock at first. After waiting so many years, hearing 'you’re going to be a dad' didn’t fully sink in right away. But then, a wave of relief and excitement washed over me. It was like the world suddenly shifted,” he said.
When his daughter was born, Khaleeq experienced a love he had never known.
“Holding her for the first time, it was like my heart had found a piece it didn’t know was missing. She was so tiny and delicate, and in that moment, nothing else mattered," he added.
When asked on how fatherhood has reshaped Khaleeq’s life, he said that it made him more patient, more grounded and more focused.
"Suddenly, it’s not just about me anymore. There’s this tiny human who depends on me and that responsibility changes your whole perspective," he said.
As for the kind of father he aspires to be, Khaleeq hopes her daughter sees him as someone she can always rely on. Not perfect, but someone who tries his best, who shows kindness, patience and respect.
"I want her to feel safe and loved, to know she can always count on me," he said.
For those still yearning for the opportunity to become fathers, Khaleeq shares a heartfelt message of hope and resilience.
“Hold on and be patient, even when it feels tough. It’s okay to feel vulnerable, to lean on those around you. Remember, fatherhood isn’t just about biology or timing; it’s about the love and readiness you build inside. When the time comes, it will be worth every moment of waiting.”
As he celebrates this Father’s Day with his daughter, he does so with a heart full of gratitude and a life forever changed.
“This journey has taught me that the most meaningful things in life take time. Patience and love go hand in hand in shaping who we become. For me, becoming a father was the ultimate reward, and it was worth every moment of the wait," he said.