Dear father,
I would’ve loved to open this letter by saying “dear Dad,” but being a dad has been the last thing you’ve done for me. I find some anger in your absence throughout my life, but I feel more sadness for you. You must be sad you haven’t been there to watch me grow into the person I am today, or my mom grow into the strong, independent woman she is today.
I don’t mind that you left me because I never knew you, I mind that you left my mom with no option but to raise me on her own. Everyday tasks such as work was twenty times harder for her because she had literally no one to watch me -- you should’ve been there. When my mom had no idea how she was going to afford school supplies and rent that month -- you should’ve been there. When I began walking, talking, or riding a bike -- you should've been there. Finally, all the nights my mom cried herself to sleep because she just simply needed help -- you should’ve been there. Growing up without you is easy for me, but my mom knew you should’ve been there the whole time.
Though, I have always wondered about you, who you are, what you do, if you have another family, or if you wonder about me. Over the years these curious questions slowly left my mind because I began to be okay without a dad. Instead I began feeling grateful I never had to deal with divorce, you walking out, or you not living up to be the dad I, or my mom needed at the time. With that being said, I should thank you for staying with your decision to stay out of my life so my mom and I could be interdependent on each other to make it to where we are today.
If you are curious about my wellbeing, just know that throughout my life my mom and I have been blessed with many friends who have helped shaped me. And today I am someone you would’ve been proud to call your daughter or someone you wish you could’ve known.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope you are at peace with your decision because it ultimately gave me the best life I could’ve asked for. I may have some of your facial features and parts of your personality but I can proudly say I am 100 percent my mom’s daughter.
Although staying out of my life has turned into a positive, I hope I am the only person you’ve done this to. Just because my mom and I made it out better than expected, doesn’t mean all single parents will or can. I wish the best for you, whoever you are, or wherever you may be. And maybe one day our paths of life will cross, and we will be introduced, but if they don't, that will be okay too.
Sincerely,
The daughter you've never met
