Dear Amy
You don't know me. You probably have the vaguest idea that I even exist. I'm your dad. And I have just two words I'd like to say to you.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that your mum and I fought constantly when she was expecting you. I'm sorry that I did some things that I'm not proud of.

I'm sorry that when I went to the hospital about the time I knew you were due to be born your mum refused to see me.

I'm sorry about the fact that I only found out I had a daughter a month after you were born when a friend of your mothers came into my work.

I'm sorry that your mother had taken to telling people that she had a one night stand and didn't know who your father was, despite this being an obvious lie.

I'm sorry for not knowing your exact date of birth. I'm sorry that this leads me to be depressed the last week of May and the first week of June.

I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you growing up. I'm sorry that I couldn't sit down with you and watch the return of Dr Who, a show I loved as a child and wanted to share with you.

I'm sorry that I couldn't pass on my love of reading and introduce you to Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, His Dark Materials and others.

I'm sorry that I never got to introduce you to Johnny Cash, Belle & Sebastian, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and other favourite bands of mine.

I'm sorry that I didn't get to watch Toy Story, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and other favourite films.

I'm sorry that you haven't got to meet your grandmother, grandfather, aunt or either uncle. I'm sorry that you didn't get to attend your aunts wedding.

I'm sorry that you didn't get to meet your great grandmother or great grandfather before they passed away. I'm sorry that I haven't got to take you to Sandhaven, still for my money the most beautiful place in the world.

I'm sorry that I got drunk one night after watching Pushing Daisies and looked your mother up on Facebook. I'm sorry that this led me to her myspace where I finally found out your name and what you look like.

I'm sorry that the only pic of you I have, both in my wallet and on my wall, is one I got a friend to crop your mother out of.

I'm sorry that you don't know that I have your name tattooed on my left wrist. I'm sorry that you don't know that any other children I have will be tattooed on my right arm, the left being solely for you.

I'm sorry for joking that the migraines you suffer have a bright side in that you can't sit through an entire Westlife concert.

I'm sorry that I haven't had the guts to try and get in touch with you, not knowing what your mum has told you and not wanting to risk upsetting or unsettling you.

There are a couple of things for which I'm NOT sorry however.

I'm not sorry for thinking about you every single day since you were born. I'm not sorry for loving you, even if I'm not able to demonstrate it.

With all the love I have,

Your father.
(williamthebloody, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 13:43, 12 replies)

that's more than two words

(TheManWithThePlan cussed your mum on, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 13:44, closed)

Amazing

( blitheringidiot semi-lurker status achieved, many thanks, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 13:47, closed)

Two words
Contact her.
(anvil, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 13:52, closed)

Wow !
Just Wow !

and a *click* obviously.


Also - just contact her (though her mother will hate you for it) !
( fastcar, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 14:00, closed)

Get in contact
Every child has the right to meet their father.
( RossThePiper Stretch Armstrong is my Father, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 15:24, closed)

please, please
get in touch.
If you don't, you'll regret it forever.
(jennymnemonic, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 16:41, closed)

I want to click 'I like this' a million times.
As someone who's daughters do know him, who's never had a birthday card from them, who's had two Xmas cards in 11 years (both quickly written when I've brought their presents), who's the only person who's bothered to keep in contact with their mum after she's got pregnant, and who's building up your university funds month by month, I say in the strongest possible terms.....

CONTACT HER.
(paof2 Nude might not be rude, but rude could be nude..., Tue 9 Mar 2010, 18:31, closed)

Please
get in touch. Amy will be made up, how could she not when you clearly think about her every waking moment.

Make the call/send the message, keep up posted!
(randomstupidname would really like this signature field to be bigge, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 21:10, closed)

Take her to court and fight for access, even if supervised.
Do something about it instead of complaining.

Tattoos mean nothing, effort does. Get off your arse and stand up for yourself. Her mother is clearly a bitch, but feeling sorry for yourself will not get you, or your daughter, any happiness.

It's shit when you're blocked from seeing your kids, I've experienced it, but without fighting you get nothing.

Sorry if I sound harsh, I sympathise and hope things work out, but they won't unless you do something about it.
( disasterprone "Pyjamas caused the Holocaust", Wed 10 Mar 2010, 5:53, closed)

Yup, get in touch with her
It's not too late. You don't have to justify how long you've left it, just get it done.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 10 Mar 2010, 7:34, closed)

Lose
This competition is about letters that people will not read.

Disqualify yourself and make sure that she DOES read this.
(justin(e), Wed 10 Mar 2010, 13:01, closed)

My dad...
..hasn't been in touch with me for, ooh, 20odd years now.

He might have tattoos of me all over his body. I couldn't give a shit, if he's never spoken to me.

It's easy to not contact her. It's easy to pretend she's better off without knowing you. It's easy to leave it to her to contact you if 'she wants to'.

Bollocks, that's emotional cowardice. Contact her. You're the dad, it's your job, and I guarantee she won't contact you, because it's your role to do that. It might ruin your life. She might hate you and ruin the perfect imaginary relationship you have now. It might hurt more than anything.

But it might not.

But I tell you what, the longer you leave it; the longer she wonders why you've never got in touch, why you never cared, then the more likely she is to tell you it's too late. 'Cos if my dad ever shows up - and I'm told from an old friend of his I met that he thinks about it - I'll tell him to fuck off.
(inflateable, Wed 10 Mar 2010, 19:49, closed)