The ideal parent-child relationship is built on a foundation of love, respect, and mutual understanding. Regrettably, there are times when children feel embarrassed by their parents during their upbringing due to factors such as not having an expensive car, lacking wealth, or not pursuing a career that the children deem as prestigious.
This can cause a lot of mixed feelings and tense relationships.
Sabrina, 18, was chatting with one of her friends on the phone when she heard the front door open. It was her dad, Pete, who worked as a coal miner. She hurried to finish the conversation because she didn’t want her dad to overhear her talking about her upcoming graduation. She was worried that her friends would make fun of her because of her dad’s appearance, so she didn’t want him to come.
Pete walked into the house looking happy, and he had two packages in his hands. He said to Sabrina that he had a surprise for her and then he put the packages on the table.
When her mom died, Pete made sure to be there for his daughter. He knew how to support her and always gave her the privacy she needed.
Sabrina felt grateful for the gifts, but she never paid much attention to her dad because his hands and face were covered in coal. She wouldn’t even let him touch her stuff.
Excited to find out what’s in the packages, she opened one and found a beautiful dress. When she opened the other, she saw a suit. She didn’t understand, so she asked her dad why there was a suit in there.
Pete exclaimed, “I need to look great for your graduation, honey! It’s a special day for you!”
Sabrina was so upset when she heard those words. She got really mad and threw the present. Then she told her dad that she didn’t want him to come to the event because she was worried about what her friends would think.
Pete was totally surprised. He didn’t know his daughter thought so poorly of him.
“What did you say?” he asked with confusion.
Dad, my friends’ dads are all from fancy backgrounds. They’re all wealthy and look like famous people. I don’t want you to be there with them and look out of place. I hope you get it. No matter how nice you dress, everyone can tell you’re a coal miner just by looking at your dirty face and hands. I don’t want them to make fun of me. Please don’t come to my graduation.
Those words were like a sharp knife piercing through me.
Sabrina thanked him for the dress and went into her room, closing the door loudly.
Pete felt really sad, but he wasn’t angry. He knew his daughter didn’t realize how serious her words were, so he chose to go to her graduation hoping she would change her opinion.
On the special day, Pete wanted to drive his daughter to the event, but she told him she didn’t need a ride. Pete said it was okay and hoped she had a great time.
Sabrina said something to him before she left the house. “And dad, don’t come, alright?? I trust you won’t. Bye…see ya!”
After she left, Pete quickly put on his clothes. He didn’t want to miss any details on this special occasion.
Pete arrived at the event and found his seat among the parents. He clapped loudly as the students got their awards, excitedly looking forward to Sabrina getting hers.
Next up, it’s time for Miss Sabrina Parker to come on stage!
Pete sprinted to the front and pulled out his camera to film his girlfriend. He was super excited, but Sabrina was really startled when she noticed him.
Pete yelled, “Yay, sweetie! I’m really happy for you!”
Sabrina didn’t seem very excited. Instead of smiling, she groaned and went to her friends. She was looking forward to the ceremony being over so she could talk to her dad.
All of a sudden, the host called out, “Mr. Parker, could you come up on the stage, please?”
This added to her nervousness.
Pete thanked Mr. Lauren and greeted everyone with a “Good evening!” before asking for the slideshow to be shown.
The crowd and Sabrina were surprised when the lights in the room went down and the movie started playing. Pete had made a really sweet video, showing all the special times he and Sabrina had together from when she was little to when she was about to graduate. Before the graduation, he talked to the principal and teachers about his idea to surprise Sabrina. They said yes, so he got to do the surprise right after she got her diploma.
I really love my daughter, Sabrina. I am super proud of you! I wish your mom could see how amazing you are today. Emma, if you’re here, you can see it too! You said I couldn’t do it alone, but look at us now – no dad could be prouder than me. Congratulations, Sabrina! We did it!
Sabrina’s heart was deeply moved by the video and her dad’s words. Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she went up on stage to hug her dad. “Dad, thank you! I’m really sorry,” she expressed.
After the night ended, Pete thought it was time to tell his daughter the truth as they headed home. He wanted her to be 18 and ready to handle it.
He gathered up his courage and faced Sabrina. He let her know that her mom was actually alive and living in the same town.
Sabrina was on the verge of falling down. She couldn’t figure out why her dad would keep such a big secret from her for such a long time.
Pete was crying when he told Sabrina that her mom didn’t want her. He said that when her mom got pregnant, she wanted to give Sabrina up for adoption. Pete convinced her not to do it, but then Sabrina’s mom admitted that Pete wasn’t the real dad. She asked Pete to raise the baby and pretend her mom was dead.
Pete didn’t want Sabrina to end up in foster care or be adopted by strangers, so he made the decision to accept her as his own before divorcing her mom.
Pete cried, “I couldn’t imagine you belonging to someone else. You were my whole world then, and you mean everything to me now.”
Sabrina asked Pete once more, “Are you really not my biological father?”
Sweetheart, even though I’m not your biological dad, my love for you is just as strong. Don’t worry about what I said earlier. You will always be MY DAUGHTER, no matter what.
I’m really sorry, dad. I feel bad for what I said to you. I called you names without realizing all the things you do for me. I don’t know where I’d be without you. Can you forgive me?
Pete and Sabrina only discussed her mother once. After that, they agreed to focus on the present. Sabrina no longer felt embarrassed about her dad. In fact, she was even more proud that Pete was the one who took care of her. She happily referred to him as her dad.
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