Dear Dad,

Where did our relationship go? What was more important than staying here and watching me grow up?

A father and daughter relationship is just as important as a mother and daughter relationship. You were supposed to be here to teach me the way a man should treat me, how I should never lower my standards for a guy, and everything else in between. But you weren’t there. You weren’t there to dance with me at the daddy daughter dance. I had to sit that dance out. You weren’t there to kiss me goodnight. You weren’t there to watch me go to my prom. But you were sure to show up at graduation and act like everything was perfect.

But you know what, I wished you would have been here since the start. I wish you could have seen me grow up and achieve things; things that I thought I would have never achieved. You weren’t there when my depression felt like it was eating me alive or when all the other kids talked about their dads being there for their sports games. You weren’t even there for the birthday parties. You missed out on everything and that was your choice. I wanted you there so badly that some days I would cry myself to sleep.

But, because you chose to be absent, you forced me to spend the rest of my life learning to live without you. You forced me to grow up and get over the fact that you were never coming back and that you may not ever call again.

However, I just want to let you know that I did okay without you. I made it without you! I forgive you because God made sure I didn't lack anything. He sent people to love me like you never could. Because of you, I’ve learned how to love people like I want to be loved. I learned to work hard despite the obstacles. I’ve learned that not everyone is capable of living up to their responsibilities. I’ve learned that you should tell people how you feel while they are around.

So Dad, you may never see this, but I hope you’re sorry. I hope one day you look back and see you missed out on an amazing daughter. I am doing well. I am working multiple jobs. Going to school full time. I am the owner of my own business. I am a leader in multiple clubs. I love church and leading in church, and each day I am learning how to love people more and more. I forgive you. I wish you were there, but God did what was best for me.

Thank you for all the lessons you taught me and didn’t even know you were teaching me. I hope you have a great life and if you choose to have another family, I hope you learn how to be a real dad. Your next children deserve that! Don’t have them grow up and think that something was wrong with them. Don’t have them search for love in other guys. Don’t have them hating themselves for not being able to make you stay. Make sure you are around for every moment because I promise you it's priceless.

Love,

The Daughter You Left Behind