I am writing to tell you that she loves music.

She’s a die hard for Chris Martin and Coldplay, and I would never stop praying to give her the endurance to see one of their shows one day, if it can happen again post-pandemic. In the meantime, you can rest assured that the entire discography of her favorite band is on her music player, our phones, and in our shared playlist. There is something about their songs on hope and kindness and birds that calms her. And sometimes she likes it when I sing to her.

I am writing to tell you that she likes noodles.

We both do. So much that, if the apocalypse comes, Lucky Me would be our regular post-apocalyptic supply run. She also likes fish and soup and pretzels. And she likes to drink her milk up to now. You can rest assured that her stomach is always full and satisfied.

I am writing to tell you that she is happy.

Or at least her mother and I try to make her so constantly. She likes going on joyrides, with the AC on max, and Lovers in Japan on full volume. She likes drive thru fastfood. She likes french fries. She likes coffee. Actually everyone in the family loves coffee, including her younger brother (which we’re trying to stop of course, he’s only eight).

I want you to know that she is loved.

By her mother. By her grandparents. By her pesky little brother. By her aunts and uncles. By her cousins. By her teachers. I want you to know that she will never run out of people that loves her. As long as I’m around.

I am writing to tell you that she is okay.

In just a few weeks from today, she will turn seventeen. She is, by many different norms, beautiful. And she has her mother’s smile. And if you look so much deeper than her angelic face, you would find that she has an even more beautiful soul.

I will not judge you for what you did. That is none of my business. But one day, especially on days like today that celebrates fathers, when you suddenly remember that Sam existed once in your life; I want you to know that she is living a full life. She is in a good place. She has a daddy. And her mother and I will never, ever, give up on her.

P.S. She has your eyes. But her heart will always be safe with me.