Dakota Mortensen penned a candid tribute to his toddler son, Ever, whom he shares with ex Taylor Frankie Paul, that addressed the difficulty of recent times.
“These past months have brought some of the hardest moments of my life, but they’ve also brought some of the most meaningful,” the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 33, wrote via Instagram as he acknowledged Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21.
The lengthy tribute to Ever, 2, which included a carousel of photos and videos that captured dad-and-son time with one another, comes amid Mortensen’s ongoing custody battle with Paul, 32, following alleged domestic violence incidents and allegations. Paul did not feature in any of Mortensen’s carousel uploads.
Speaking directly to Ever, Mortensen discussed his adoration for him. “Thank you for making me a dad. Nothing in my life has ever meant more to me than being your father. From the moment you came into this world you gave my life a purpose I never knew I could even have. You’ve taught me more than I could ever teach you,” the reality TV star wrote. “You’ve shown me patience, unconditional love, and what truly matters in life. Every day I wake up wanting to be a better man because of you.”
He also expanded on how his son has gotten him through the events of recent months, which saw Mortensen granted temporary physical custody of Ever and a restraining order against Paul while the former Bachelorette was granted a protective order against Mortensen. “Through it all one thing has never changed — my love for you,” he wrote. “Being your dad is the greatest blessing I could ever ask for and I will never stop showing up for you, supporting you, and loving you with everything I have.”
Mortensen added that he will be “cheering” his son on throughout his life. “Everything I do is with you in mind. My focus is on being the father you deserve and building the future you deserve. I pray that one day you’ll fully understand how deeply you are loved,” he wrote.
Earlier this month, Paul told fans via her Instagram Stories that the emotional fallout of the pair’s relationship breakdown has taken a toll on her wellbeing. “Tbh I’ve gone emotionally numb,” Paul wrote on June 13. “I don’t know what to say anymore other than I’m right there with a lot of you. Wish I could be more helpful. Not sure when the nervous system switched… I can’t even cry lately which is very unlike me.”
Amid Paul and Mortensen’s claims against each other, Mortensen alleged that Paul had been physically violent with him earlier this year. A police investigation had temporarily shut down season 5 filming on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on the back of an alleged incident that occurred in late February.
In April, Us Weekly confirmed via a statement from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office that Paul would not be charged as a result of reviewed “reports and evidence.”
Three years earlier, Paul was arrested following a separate altercation with Mortensen. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault at the time, while additional charges of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief were dismissed.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
