New to Reborns?

I’m Odie—a Christian, a husband to Raven, a father to Junior, and a reborn doll collector. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. My faith in Him comes first, and my wife and son come before these dolls, this channel, or any hobby. I am not ashamed of my faith, and I want that foundation to be clear.

I created Strong Hands Reborn Dad to share my story, help other men feel less alone, and show that masculinity includes tenderness, responsibility, and the courage to care. I value authentic reborn artistry, and I also value the person behind every collection. Here, we can learn, ask honest questions, and treat each other with dignity. Strength looks different here.

Jesus Christ is my foundation

I gave my life to Christ in 2014. I believe Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose again, and is my Lord and Savior. My hope is in Him, and He is the source of my strength, comfort, and lasting joy. Prayer and time in Scripture are part of my daily life. These dolls can be something I enjoy and find comforting, but they do not take His place. My faith is the foundation of my life, including how I try to treat people through this platform.

I’m not a perfect Christian, husband, or father. I make mistakes. Following Christ means humbling myself, admitting when I’m wrong, repenting, and continuing to grow. I talk more about that foundation in my Easter conversation about faith, family, and reborn collecting.

My wife and son come before the collection

Raven is my wife, and Junior is my son. Being a husband and a dad means being present, making time, and taking responsibility for the people God has entrusted to my care. When they need me, the dolls stay on the shelf. A video shows the part of my life I’ve chosen to share on camera; it does not show every family moment, every responsibility, or everything that matters to me.

My family has supported this hobby in meaningful ways, including gifts that I treasure. Their support matters to me, but enjoying a collection never comes before loving them, protecting them, or giving them my attention.

How I came into collecting

My interest in dolls goes back to childhood, when the message I heard was that dolls were for girls. I carried that interest quietly for years. With my wife’s and son’s support, I eventually bought Evelyn, an IVITA doll. She was my first doll, before I understood the differences between manufactured dolls, replicas, and authentic reborn artwork. I’m honest about that history: Evelyn is not an authentic reborn.

Over time, I learned more about the artists, sculpts, and work behind authentic reborns, and my collection grew to include artist-made dolls such as Sarah and Penny. What draws me to collecting is both the artistry and the feeling of those quiet moments when my son was small—holding him, rocking him, and simply being his dad. Collecting gives me a creative outlet and something gentle to focus on when I’m anxious. I know these are dolls; they do not replace my child or my real relationships. I share more of my collection and its personal meaning in “I Am Not Ashamed to Collect Reborn Dolls.”

What gentle masculinity means to me

For me, being a man means following Christ, putting His will before my own, protecting my family, keeping my word, and living with honesty, integrity, and loyalty. Gentleness belongs within that strength. It is getting down beside my son when he is hurt, listening when my wife needs me, and caring enough to be patient and present. I can nurture and still protect. I can show tenderness and still stand firm.

Collecting a doll does not determine my character as a man. How I live and how I care for people matter far more. That is the heart of “I Collect Reborn Dolls. I’m Not Less of a Man.” When I say “Strength looks different here,” I mean strength expressed through responsibility, humility, protection, and love.

Supporting artists while respecting collectors

I value authentic reborn artistry and believe artists and sculptors deserve recognition and respect for their work. I do not support knowingly copying an artist’s sculpt or using stolen artwork. Honest information about what a doll is, where it comes from, and who created it helps people make informed choices.

At the same time, I will not measure someone’s worth by the doll they own. Some people are new and still learning. Some dolls are gifts, and some carry a personal history that a stranger cannot see. James was a gift from my son, bought with his own money, and Lily was a gift from my wife. They are not authentic reborns, and I am transparent about that. I keep them because the love behind those gifts matters to me.

We can support artists and talk honestly about authenticity without attacking or shaming collectors. Education and respectful conversation help people learn. You can hear me explain that balance in “Why I Still Keep These Dolls.”

Why I share this part of my life

I started Strong Hands Reborn Dad to share my experience and reach other men who felt they had to hide this hobby. As people shared their stories, it became about more than my collection. I heard from people carrying loneliness, loss, anxiety, and the fear of being judged. Those conversations matter to me. The dolls may bring someone to a video, but I care about the person who is watching. I want to offer encouragement, listen with compassion, and pray for people who share their struggles.

My conversation about a Marine veteran’s comment explains the kind of connection I hoped this platform could make. You do not have to share my faith or collect dolls to be welcome here. I will be open about Jesus Christ and what I believe, and I want us to ask questions and disagree with respect. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, encouraged, and a little less alone.