I spent twenty years living in the shadows, watching from a distance as you grew into the kindest, bravest, most remarkable woman I could ever have dreamed of calling my daughter.

I know that I tricked you into that first hello, Dad.

Forgive an old man his cowardice.

I was terrified that if I told you the truth outright, I would see anger in your eyes in place of the warmth you gave me so freely every single day, and I could not have borne that, not at the end.

But you must believe me about this one thing above all others.

Those six weeks were not a lie.