Thank you for showing me the kind of parent that I should never become.
From the day I was born you never claimed me as your own. My birth certificate doesn't even say your name. Legally there is nothing that ties us together, aside from maybe a DNA test, which you refuse to take. Growing up, you never took me to my father-daughter dance, you never taught me how to fish or hunt. Thankfully, I had an amazing grandfather who taught me everything you chose not to.
You taught me how to never be able to rely on anyone, and you made me terrified to trust men. It wasn't until I met my fiancé's family when I realized how a family was really supposed to act towards their children. You promised to see me and then you would always let me down. I am so thankful to you though, I am thankful that you never had another child with my mother. I would hate to see how broken they would be with the way you would treat them.
In eighth grade, I went through such a hard time I completely stopped caring about everything, you were who I needed the most and you weren't around. I shouldn't have been surprised considering you were never around unless you wanted something.
Even though you hurt me in ways that I am not sure can ever be replaced, thank you. Thank you for showing me the kind of man I should never fall in love with. Thank you for showing me the kind of parent I will never be. Thank you for showing me the kind of man I will never allow to father my children. Above all else, thank you for showing me I do not need a man to be successful and happy.
