Celebrating Father’s Day!

As Bachelor Nation fans know, Michael Allio is a single father to his son James. During his time on “The Bachelorette,” Michael was open about losing wife Laura Ritter-Allio to cancer in 2019 when she was only 33 years old.

Now, Michael frequently shares his experience with grief, single parenthood, and more on social media with his hundreds of thousands of followers.

And he’s also stopping by to chat with BachelorNation.com exclusively about Father’s Day and what it means to him to be a dad.

Check out Michael’s full interview below!

Bachelor Nation: Happy Father’s Day, Michael! We wanted to start off by asking what being a dad means to you.

Michael Allio: Thank you so much! And the most important job of a father is to love their child unconditionally. Next, it’s important to share the wisdom we’ve learned along the way while simultaneously leaving enough room for our children to grow and create a unique identity of their own.

BN: That’s really beautiful. What is your ideal way to celebrate Father’s Day?

MA: A weekend getaway with my dad and James. Celebrate three generations all at once. We like to do quick weekends at a hotel somewhere (doesn’t need to be glamorous) where we can disconnect from technology and enjoy each other’s company.

BN: Love that! Sounds like a perfect day. How has fatherhood changed you?

MA: It’s changed me in every way. It motivates me. It humbles me. It provides me with a purpose. Being a father gives me life.

BN: Absolutely. And what has surprised you most about fatherhood?

MA: Truthfully, I was surprised with how enjoyable it is. Don’t get me wrong, it’s absolutely exhausting, but the level of joy I get out of watching James develop and grow is unlike any experience I’ve had in my prior life.

BN: So special! Do you have any advice for fellow parents out there?

MA: Even though we’re the parents, don’t forget that we do not know everything. Share your wisdom with your children, but do not force it on them. They are not you, nor should they be. Allow them to express themselves freely and celebrate their individuality. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned in life have been taught to me by my son... Listen to what they are saying... It’s often pretty insightful.

BN: Those are some words of wisdom! How would James describe you as a dad?

MA: Honestly, I think James is convinced that I sit on the couch all day.

BN: Ha! That’s funny. What is your favorite part of fatherhood?

MA: James loves me so much. We have a bond that is unbreakable. We actually can communicate with our eyes, which is really helpful when we don’t want someone to hear what we are saying.

BN: How special! And as a dad, what do you hope James will learn from you?

MA: I hope he learns compassion, empathy, acceptance of others, and resilience. I hope he also feels a sense of responsibility to play a part in making our world a better place.

BN: Well, he’s learning from a great dad! And last but not least, would you let James watch your Bachelor Nation journey one day?

MA: I will do everything in my power to keep this from him as long as possible. However, I know this is a losing battle... Ugh.