Don’t judge parents based on appearances alone. Richard Huff, a man covered in 240 tattoos, has often been unfairly criticized, with many assuming he’s a bad father just because of how he looks. But his wife, Marita, has shared the truth about who he really is.

For Richard, tattoos are a way of expressing himself—he has inked about 85% of his body. Beyond that, he’s a devoted dad to five children, living a family life much like anyone else. Although people sometimes make harsh judgments, his kids don’t see him as frightening. One of his daughters even said, “My dad isn’t scary; he’s just really good with tattoos.”

Marita admits she, too, once misjudged him by his appearance, but quickly discovered his kind and caring nature. On her blog, she often writes about his love for their family, showing him as a dedicated husband and father. Richard is fully engaged in his children’s lives—he even joins the PTA and attends school events.

Despite outside criticism, Richard proudly embraces both his tattoos and his role as a family man. “This is who we are, and we’re happy,” he says. His tattoos don’t define his ability as a father; instead, they give his children a different way of seeing the world.

In the end, Richard Huff’s story is a reminder that appearances can be misleading, and real love goes far beyond skin deep.