FATHER ’ S DAY
“ I want to give Legend as much access to me to where he doesn ’ t have to rely on things like social media to help him understand on make decisions on certain things . My biggest scare is social media ; they ( young people ) are exposed to so much that we didn ’ t have access to . My hope and prayer constantly is that Legend will lean to me and his mom when he has questions about things in life .”
Larry Gill you ’ ve got to wing it . We ’ re going to mess up , we ’ re going to make mistakes but that ’ s going to be part of it . It ’ s going to be learning curve because we know nothing about it . We have some family members — aunts , cousins — we call and ask a million questions . But at the end of the day , we ’ re the ones who have to deal with Legend every day . We ’ re the ones who have to make sure he gets up , get ready and other aspects of life . We ’ re just taking it day by day , and what happens happens .”
While the couple is prepared to face the day-to-day unknowns of parenting , Gill is certain of the type of home environment he wants Legend to grow up in .
“ I just want him to be able to live in a home that exemplifies a leadership mentality ,” he said . “ I want him to have a model that he wants to model his family after one day . One thing I ’ ve quickly learned as a father is that they are listening and they will copy anything you say or do . He sees us open the door , he tries to open the door handle . So we ’ re careful of the things we do in front of him .”
Gill said he also hopes to instill qualities he learned from his grandmother : to respect and help others , plus have a strong faith .
“ I want to instill those same qualities in Legend ,” he said . “ Those simple things that are going to take him a long way .” The 27-year-old first-time father admits parenting can be demanding and sometimes overwhelming . However , taking on big responsibilities is second nature to Gill .
“ I lived with my grandmother and was kinda forced to grow up and take on responsibilities a little sooner than others my age ,” he said .
In high school , Gill managed the baseball fields at Meridian High School , where he graduated in 2013 . During his senior year in high school , Gill received his insurance license while working for former Meridian Mayor Percy Bland and begin his career as a sales agent with Don Bland Desjardins Insurance Agency . He continued in insurance sales while attending Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University in Starkville . During his early collegiate years , Gill managed the score keepers at Phil Hardin Field and was a board member with Meridian Youth Baseball .
After graduating with a business administration degree from MSU , Gill returned to Meridian and worked as a sales agent for Bland and eventually becoming office manager . Several years later , he became an agency owner with The Insurance Center . And in 2021 , Gill took on another major responsibility : becoming mayor of Marion , which earned him recognition as the youngest person to serve as mayor in Mississippi .
And though Gill is realistic about parenting and is prepared to take on the responsibilities that come with it , he admits he has concerns about outside elements such as social media , peer pressure and violence .
“ I want to give Legend as much access to me to where he doesn ’ t have to rely on things like social media to help him understand on make decisions on certain things ,” he said . “ My biggest scare is social media ; they ( young people ) are exposed to so much that we didn ’ t have access to . My hope and prayer constantly is that Legend will lean to me and his mom when he has questions about things in life . Our goal is to always listen to him . People sometimes forget that kids have feelings , too . They see and hear things at school and most of the time they are out of your sight . So when they come home and ask questions , it ’ s important to listen to them , talk to them and give them a better understanding of what ’ s going on and why it ’ s going on . And be there to listen so that they lean to you , instead of anyone else who can dictate the outcome .”
Gill said he and his wife hope to have more children . Until then , the couple is preparing the world for Legend . M
24 • MERIDIAN HOME & STYLE