Forty five years ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. 12 lbs. 11 1/2 ounces. A head full of stunning red hair and the most perfect ivory skin. She was simply gorgeous. No words can adequately describe the love I felt for her.

Forty five years ago, I gave up that beautiful baby girl for adoption. I did so to ensure that she had the best possible life. A life, I as a teenager, was ill equipped to provide. To this day, the most difficult and painful decision I’ve ever had to make. But, the best one. One that was not made in haste but, was made thoughtfully.

Today, I spoke to her mother. I have spoken with her mother every year on her birthday since the day that beautiful baby girl contacted me on her eighteenth birthday. We speak at other times, as we really do enjoy each other but, always on her birthday.

This conversation was different. Today I learned the sad news that her husband had passed away. After a long illness, he had lost his battle. They had been married for 56 years. 56 years. My heart broke. But, I immediately realized and told Sandy, the fact that they had been married for 56 years, reinforced my belief that I had made the right decision 45 years ago. They had provided the most wonderful and stable life for that beautiful baby girl. She had been surrounded by love. She never wanted for anything. And she was loved. And continues to be. It was exactly what I had wanted for her.

I thought about how fortunate Sandy was to have had a wonderful husband for 56 years. Who loved her dearly. How fortunate that baby girl was to have had such a wonderful father who thought the sun rose and set on her. And how fortunate I was to have had such a wonderful man become my baby girl’s father.

Rest peacefully Paul. Thank you for taking such good care of my baby girl and being such a wonderful father to her. Thank you for raising her so beautifully. And thank you for loving her so deeply.

You are and will always be missed.