Dakota Mortensen wrote words of thanks to his toddler son, Ever, with whom he shares ex Taylor Frankie Paulwhich spoke about the difficulties of recent times.
“These past months have brought some of the most difficult times in my life, but they have also brought some of the most important,” Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 33, wrote on Instagram as he acknowledged Father's Day on Sunday, June 21.
The lengthy tribute to Ever, 2, which includes a collection of photos and videos of father and son together, comes amid Mortensen's ongoing custody battle with Paul, 32, following allegations of domestic violence and abuse. Paul did not appear in any of Mortensen's carousel uploads.
Speaking directly to Ever, Mortensen discussed his love for her. “Thank you for making me a father. Nothing in my life has ever meant more than being your father. From the moment you came to this world, you gave my life a purpose that I didn't even know I could have. You taught me more than I could ever teach you,” wrote the TV star. “You showed me patience, unconditional love, and what's important in life. Every day I wake up wanting to be a better man because of you.”
He also added how his son found him in the events of the past few months, when Mortensen was given temporary custody of Ever and a letter that was reserved for Paul in the interim. The Bachelorette Mortensen was granted a protective order. “Through it all, one thing has never changed — my love for you,” he wrote. “Being your father is the greatest blessing I could ever ask for and I will never stop showing you, supporting you, and loving you with everything I have.”
Mortensen added that he will be “making” his son happy for the rest of his life. “Everything I do I think about. I am focused on being the father he deserves and building the future he deserves. I pray that one day you will fully understand how much you are loved,” he wrote.
Taylor Frankie Paul
Monica Schipper / Getty ImagesEarlier this month, Paul told his followers via Instagram Stories that the emotional fallout from the breakup of the pair's relationship had taken a toll on his life. “I don't feel emotionally numb,” Paul wrote on June 13. “I don't know what to say other than I'm right there with a lot of you. I wish I could be more helpful. Not sure when the nervous system changes… I can't even cry lately which is so unlike me.”
Among Paul and Mortensen's allegations, Mortensen alleged that Paul had been violent with him earlier this year. A police investigation has temporarily shut down season 5 filming Secret Lives of Mormon Wives after an incident that allegedly happened in late February.
In April, Us Weekly confirmed in a statement from the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office that Paul will not be charged because of the “reports and evidence” reviewed.
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have been trying to conceive a son since they split in 2024. Paul and Mortensen welcomed their first child together, the MomTok content creator's third, in March 2024, months before they called it quits. As Paul and Mortensen navigated together raising their son, […]
Three years earlier, Paul was arrested after an altercation with Mortensen. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault at the time, and other charges of domestic violence involving a child, aggravated battery 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.
