Hello,

This is nothing new to me (writing letters that is) but here we go.

It's been 3 years since the last time I saw you. And I'm okay with that.

This week I learned new information about your case, and I'm frustrated with you. I'm hurt because of you. What sucks is I thought I knew everything but the new details are what hurt me immensely and the most.

There have been several times where I'm sad for you. I feel bad that you're missing some of the most important parts in your daughters' lives. You missed our graduations. I'm writing for Odyssey now. So many things are going so good for me. And you're not here for them.

Although sometimes I feel bad for you, I also don't. I feel bad that I had to grow up knowing someone like you. You put things into my head that aren't true. You hurt me in ways that I can't even think about without cringing or crying or having an anxiety attack.

It's funny because people think they know the whole story, but now that I know even more details I know the most. I know things that others don't.

Thank you for "going away" and being my stepping stone in life. I learned so much once you left. I learned about life, who I am, and who I want to be.

If you had been in my life for all this time, I wouldn't have met the love of my life. I wouldn't have made the mistakes I did. I wouldn't have grown up or probably even moved out. I wouldn't know what I would want to do and I probably would never have met the amazing and wonderful people that are in my life now. I would probably still be incredibly pessimistic. I probably would have really low self-esteem.

So, as awful as it sounds, I'm glad you had a problem. Because you got caught and I grew up...kinda.

Because of you I grew up too fast.

I was without a father.

But this is me.

I want to be mad at you and for now I will be. But soon, I will move on. I will continue on with my life and be happy.

Growing up without my biological father through a good majority of my teenage years was actually okay. People replaced you and did a good job of helping to raise me and making sure that I am okay.

So many people have been there for me, mainly because you aren't around.

But I am okay, and I will continue to be okay.

In the end, I am proud of myself. I've made it this far without you. I graduated high school, made it into college, and am having a successful life.

So here's to making it through without you.

I hope that things are okay with you.

Sincerely,

Me