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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 93 which seemed like it'd line up perfectly post-finals. Tariq didn't follow those plans, though, but Ezechuk- wu still was able to work with his professors and get all of his finals done. "It was a smooth transition — not an easy experi- ence — but a smooth transition," Ezechukwu said of Tariq's early arrival. But becoming parents drastically changed Ezechuk- wu's and Mabon's relationship, as they learned more and more about each other throughout the pregnancy and, certainly, since Tariq's birth. They've seen each other at their most vulnerable, Mabon said, but they've also shared incredible, blessed moments. And Mabon has seen Ezechukwu shift focus, think- ing more long-term than before Tariq, she said, but also she's seen the best of his traits strengthened, if not solidified. Ezechukwu is not a procrastinator, which is critically important considering all of the ele- ments he's balancing. "If he knows something that needs to get done, he's going to do it as soon as he gets the chance to. Really, he just doesn't stop," said Mabon, who also is pursuing a master's at Purdue after earning her bach- elor's in Science Industrial Technology. "Sometimes if the baby wakes in the middle of the night, we know he's not hungry, he's probably just waking up between sleep cycles and he's crying, Danny will get up, he'll change his diaper and still be up at 5 a.m. to go for a workout or something like that. I know Danny is tired, but he just never complains. He really just puts his head down and does it. "He's solid, period. He's a solid individual. Every- body has their shortcomings. But I've seen him realize some things about himself and actively work to make them better, which is something you can't say about a lot about of people. He really works to become a better person. I'm just grateful I get to be around him. They say you're like the people you still spend the most time. So I think just us being together and parenting is making me a better woman as well." Ezechukwu is an all-in dad, too, Mabon said. He missed only one prenatal appointment — and that was only because they couldn't schedule it far enough in advance — and he doesn't even want to miss any of Traiq's upcoming wellness checkups. He doesn't shy away from changing dirty diapers, loves bath time, either takes or picks up Tariq from daycare and loves finding playtime in the evenings, after classes, team meetings and practices. Tariq's lat- est obsession is balls, especially putting a basketball through a net. He's clapping a lot now. He's walking, too, which provides an element of adventure for the youngster and his parents. And his early-morning "dancing" before daycare is often a source of joy. "I thoroughly enjoy it," Ezechukwu said of being a dad. "It's awesome. I know my relationship with my dad and I know everything I want to teach him and everything I want to show him in due time, but it's just really rewarding. It's super rewarding just being with him and seeing him every morning and each and every night. I love it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. They say when you become a father, it's the toughest job that you'll have, but up to this point, it's been the most rewarding experience in my life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything." Not just adapting to change … but enjoying what it's produced? That's where Ezechukwu is now, at 22, and nearly five years removed from high school. And it's exactly where he should be. "He may say he wishes he was (back) there at that point in time," Mabon said of Ezechukwu's recently reiterated stay-in-high-school-forever claims, "but I highly doubt it. I think Danny loves to learn and loves to realize what he doesn't know and loves to see how far he's come. I think he's enjoying the journey of becoming a better person. So he may say that, but I know for a fact that he knows he's a much better, more equipped person than he was at 18 coming straight out of high school." j