Diego had a large family with five siblings. Growing up, Diego was stuck in the middle, having two older and two younger brothers. Growing up in Taos, New Mexico, he became the second generation of his family to reside outside Mexico. His house was loud since there were his parents, siblings, and at one point even grandparents all under the same roof. It was a busy household, with everyone working as soon as they were old enough. His parents had two jobs; his grandparents worked until such time as they could not work anymore.
Diego had his struggles growing up. It was tough to make ends meet for the family, and there were times when he acted out. He hung out with the wrong crowd and got into trouble. Thankfully, his older siblings kept him in line, and he never got too lost in the bad part of town. He always had a passion for cars, fixing, and building things. He learned these skills from his grandfather and father, who taught him how to do just about anything. Diego especially cherished learning woodworking from his grandfather before he passed away.
In school, Diego did okay but never particularly loved it. However, he liked being in front of the class and talking. His parents encouraged him to go to college, and he got a scholarship and went on to get his teaching degree. He got a job in town as a shop teacher and also took the auto shop class. He really enjoyed teaching and actually cared about his students. He had also been visiting family in Kismet, Oregon, over the years, where a few of his uncles and cousins reside. He'd spent winters there off and on since he was a kid.
It was in Kismet that Diego met -----. They met at a bar and spent a weekend together. Diego returned to Taos for work and got busy, so he wasn't able to go back to Kismet for a few years. But after his second school shut its shop programs, he moved to Kismet for work. It was then that he knew he was the father of a son, four years old. It was a shock, but he had never exchanged contact information with ----- since it had only been a casual fling. He soon settled into his life as both teacher and father.
Diego has been in Kismet now a little over three years. He is a good co-parent with --- and his son is five now. They remain very good friends and happy with their mutual parenting of their son. Diego tries to find someone to date from time to time as he is quite lonely during the times his son is not at home. He hasn't had the best of luck in love over the past year or so, but he feels that may change soon. He fixed up a home in Kismet, in which he lives when his son is with him, and he loves it.
He does handyman work on the side whenever he needs extra income, and he enjoys it. He says, "Work is my passion and a big part of my life, besides my son." He hopes to find someone with whom he could take a further step—building up a future together and eventually having another child. He would not like to miss those early years in the life of their child, which he did in the case of his son.
He's working hard at his job and, over the past summer, fixed up a home for him and his son. it isn't big it is nice and fit for him, and when he has Dev. He works hard as a teacher and handyman on the side and on weekends. He works as a handyman to make more money help supply his classes, and take care of his family. His love life hasn't been the best, but he's hopeful for his future.
Son: Sam Castro
