Jake Bongiovi Opens Up About Fatherhood and Adoption with Millie Bobby Brown

Jake Bongiovi has found his entire world shift since becoming a dad. “Becoming a father has completely broadened my understanding of the word love,” Bongiovi, 24, told L’Beaute Homme in a profile published Tuesday, October 13. “I think before you have children, you believe you understand what unconditional love means, but then you experience it in an entirely new way.” Bongiovi has been married to actress Millie Bobbie Brown since 2024 and the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, via adoption one year later. The proud parents confirmed last month that they recently adopted a baby boy. (Brown, 22, and Bongiovi have not publicly revealed their kids’ names.) “There is genuinely no better feeling in the world than hearing your child shout ‘Dada!’ when you walk into a room,” he mused to the outlet. “It's such a simple thing, but it's almost indescribable. In those moments, everything else seems to disappear. Fatherhood has given me a completely different perspective on life.”

Bongiovi, one of the sons of Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea Hurley, has since discovered that becoming a parent is an “extraordinary privilege." “Things that once felt incredibly important suddenly seem a little smaller, and the things you might previously have overlooked become the moments you cherish most,” he gushed. “I don't think there's a day that goes by when I'm not reminded of that [privilege].” Bongiovi, who is perpetually in awe watching “how quickly [his] children grow and discover the world,” wants to savor all of their milestones and memories. “One day they've learned how to smile, the next they're laughing, and before you know it, they're taking their first steps,” he said. “Every day brings something new, and you get to experience all of those little discoveries alongside them. My children have taught me to slow down. Life has a way of moving incredibly quickly, and I think we're all guilty of getting caught up in what's next rather than appreciating what's right in front of us.”

He continued, “Sometimes the most meaningful part of my day is something as simple as sitting on the floor and playing with them or watching them figure something out for the first time. I think being a good father is ultimately about showing up, being present and creating an environment where your children feel safe enough to discover who they are.” Bongiovi also addressed the couple’s decision to adopt their two children. “Millie and I have built a beautiful family together. Through that experience, we've come to understand and appreciate a phrase that I think captures the meaning of parenthood so perfectly: ‘There are two ways to have a baby, one through your belly and one through your heart,’” he said. “I think there's something incredibly moving about that feeling because, ultimately, both journeys lead to the same place: love. The way a child enters your life doesn't define the love you have for them. What matters is the family you build, the home you create and the commitment you make to love and cherish that child unconditionally.” Bongiovi added, “Every family's story is different, and I think that's something to be celebrated. There isn't one singular way to become a parent or one definition of what a family should look like. For us, it's been an extraordinary journey, one that has taught us so much about love, gratitude and the importance of being present.” Just as Bongiovi has found his purpose as a father, he notes that Brown has also effortlessly taken to parenthood. “Watching Millie become a mother has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life,” he noted. “There's something incredibly special about building a family with your best friend and knowing that you're experiencing all of these firsts together. I think the most important thing is that, through all the changes life brings, we continue to grow in the same direction.”