There was a time that I dreamed of graduating college, getting married and then starting a family, but that is just not the way things worked out. I met you and you swept me off my feet! Little did we know that we would conceive a beautiful little boy!

It has been over a year since we've heard from you now. You missed his second birthday, and you will soon miss his third. He has grown so tall and strong. He has even begun outsmarting me! He loves to count and sing all of the songs he learns at daycare. You have never heard him sing, have you? When you left he was still working on his first words.

Do you think about him? You were around for almost a year. You know how wonderful and special this little boy really is. Do you wonder what he is like now? Do you think about what kind of man he will become someday? I am thankful for my father and the positive, consistent male influence he has been in our son's life.

What would you like me to tell him? He is almost three and already gets confused. When we visit his friends that have both parents at home he is constantly calling their fathers "dad". Would you like me to tell him you got sick and had to go away? Do you think about the questions he'll have when he gets older? Do you think of him at all?

He didn't need the money anyway. I quickly realized that even though child support is court ordered, that doesn't mean it's coming. Even without seeing him you could still help support him (he does have your appetite after all). I picked up some extra shifts to cover it, no worries.

What do you tell people? The people in your life know that you have a child, I assume. Do you tell them that I keep you from him? Do you stalk my social media and show them pictures and pretend you come around? I am curious how you explain that to your family. If you have a girlfriend does she know about him, or will you just start fresh?

We are happy. While this is not the ideal situation, we are just fine on our own. I have been reading and consulting with other mothers on how to handle questions from our son about you. Our son is not only surviving, but thriving in every aspect of his life.

Sorry you missed it all. You have no idea what an absolute joy our son is. He is magnetic to everyone that meets him. He is so happy and brave! We play, we learn, we cry, we are best friends. He is so compassionate and loving! I pity anyone who does not get to experience his presence, especially you.

It would have been great to have you around, but now it is too late. We do not need you.