I grew up in another country away from my dad.
He and mom broke up when she was young, and she moved away.
Dad never knew she was pregnant until the day I showed up at his door. I’d turned 18 when mom talked to me about him. So, we talked with my mom, and she gave me his address. She’d done some research and knew where he was in case I ever wanted to meet him. I flew to Seattle, Washington, on my 22nd birthday, which I felt more confident and wanted to see him. There I was, standing in front of his door, introducing myself as his son. Dad was shocked but saw I looked exactly as he had when he was my age. I told him my mom’s name, and he broke down. Dad welcomed me into his home, and we spent the rest of the time talking. He told me he’d always regretted breaking up with mom and never knew she was pregnant when she left. We spoke with mom on the phone then I chose to stay in Seattle for some time. Dad wanted to show me around and even take me to the company he’d built. It was such a relief to be with him, and I got to try some fantastic varieties of cannabis products that he had at his home. When weed became legal in Seattle, he’d started an organic farm for the crop and ran a manufacturing plant. Apart from visiting the business, he also took me to see his mom. My grandmother. I finally felt like that void in me was filled when I met the rest of the family.