What is the first image and thought evoked from the word Father?

Is fatherhood a state of being in the sense that it doesn’t matter how old you are, or how (expectedly, or unexpectedly) you came about being a father, rather, it’s more about how you feel about it?

I have a good friend who is a few years older than me, he has kids of his own who are older than mine. Although he is as mature (or not) and also silly (or not at times) as all men are – since his father’s passing, I feel as if I’ve taken on the role of surrogate father to him, when in the past we were simply on more “equal” friendship terms.

Can you relate to this?

We are still very good friends, but there has been a sort of role reversal, and it feels weird for me sometimes; he used to more like an older brother for me, whereas now, I guess, I am more of a fatherly figure to him.

Thoughts, friends?