It’s me, your oldest child, and there’s something important I want to share with you. I often think about how to express this, so here it is: Thank you.
Thank you for being aware of my whereabouts. That evening by the lake felt typical; I went with a boy whom I’d known for years, someone you were familiar with too. We had shared significant moments, like Junior Prom. Still, I made sure to seek your approval before heading out, and he understood the importance of being back on time.
You and Mom were always those “cool” parents who welcomed friends into our home, fostering an open-door environment. You knew my friends, and they knew you. Yet, I didn’t fully appreciate the depth of your involvement until it proved to be a pivotal moment in my life—not one that saved my life but rather safeguarded my very essence.
That night took a dark turn. My ‘friend’ didn’t ask for permission to kiss me, and when I said “stop,” he didn’t relent. He continued despite my efforts to push him away, even when I tried to fight back. “If you scream, no one will hear you,” he threatened, and in that instant, I was paralyzed by terror.
As young women, we unfortunately prepare ourselves for such scenarios for years. We envision how we will respond with strength and assertiveness, knowing how to refuse and assert our boundaries. But no amount of preparation can equip you for the bone-chilling fear that paralyzes you when the unexpected occurs. I never saw it coming.
Then, I recalled that you insisted I take my phone with me, just in case we lost track of time. In that moment of sheer horror, I managed to reach for it, but he snatched it from my grasp before I could use it. Fear surged through me, but it wasn’t the superhuman strength I had hoped for.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was you, Dad. An hour had passed, and your call was a lifeline. He knew he had to allow me to answer, aware that if I didn’t, you would come looking for me. When I heard your voice, it pierced through the chaos in my mind. You told me to come home, but what resonated deeper was your unspoken message: “I love you, I care for you, and I’m here to protect you.”
He realized he had to let me go because you knew where I was. He left with threats that he would return and ruin my reputation. I did tell someone; I confided in Mom. True to form, she drove straight to his house to confront his mother, and then to his girlfriend’s house to speak with her mother. He retaliated by spreading lies about me at school, and being a football player, his words carried weight. My senior year became one of the most challenging periods of my life. He stripped away my friends and my joy, but what he could never take was my innocence. I retained that simply because you were aware of my situation.
Words may fall short in conveying how profoundly grateful I am for your presence that night. I hope this letter illuminates just a fraction of my appreciation and respect for you as a father.
Once again, thank you, Dad. Thank you for knowing where I was.
Additional Resources
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Summary
In a heartfelt letter, a daughter expresses gratitude to her father for being aware of her whereabouts during a potentially dangerous situation. The father’s vigilance allowed her to escape a traumatic encounter, highlighting the significance of parental involvement in a child’s life and the protection it can offer.
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