My 18th birthday should have been a milestone, but it turned into a day of deep disappointment. My dad, who left when I was eight, promised he’d try to attend my small celebration, but instead, he chose a fishing trip with friends. As the party went on, I kept hoping he’d show up. When I finally called him, all I got was a casual, “Happy birthday! I’m out on the lake with the guys. I’ll catch you later, okay?”

His absence hurt deeply, reminding me of how I’d always longed for his attention. A week later, he called as if nothing had happened and offered me a gift—a fishing rod. “We can go fishing together sometime!” he said, oblivious to the pain this caused. The rod symbolized the very thing that had taken him away from me.

I finally realized, “I couldn’t keep chasing after someone who couldn’t be there for me.” So, I decided to focus on those who truly cared—my mom, my friends, and myself. Over time, I learned that my worth wasn’t tied to my dad’s attention. I found strength in the love and support around me, accepting that sometimes people won’t be what you need them to be—and that’s okay.