This is a story like you would hear on Oprah! It is a wonderful story and has made me a very happy man. On December 3rd, 2009, I was surfing in a web site for old friends and I noticed a guy I had went to high school with. I sent him a message and he returned an email. When I answered it, I mentioned that I had dated his sister when I first got out of the service in February-March, 1962, 47 years ago.

He answered and said that although he had not been aware of that, he had forwarded a copy of my email to his sister, Sandra. Shortly after, she emailed me and included her phone number and asked if I would call. I did. She proceeded to tell me that I had a 47 year old daughter of which I had never been aware. Of course, Susan and I were totally shocked and in disbelief.

It seems that after Sandra and I had broke up, she had married a man shortly afterwards only to learn a month later that she was 4 months pregnant. She told him the truth and they decided to tell nobody. They later had two children together. They separated after 4 years and she moved to the east coast. Her husband raised Gail, my daughter, along with their other two children as one of his own. When she was 14, he told her that I was her father, but never again wanted to discuss the matter. She had searched for me on and off, and, of course, was curious, but, in the days before the Internet, and the fact that I had moved to St. Louis, and she had no way of knowing that, made it very difficult.

Later, she married her childhood sweetheart, Forrest. A year or so ago, she found my website and a bio on another site. In the bio, I had mentioned that Susan and I had decided when we were married, 44 years ago, to not have children, and that we had not regretted that decision. That sentence stopped her from contacting me as she assumed I wouldn’t be interested. Was she wrong!

I communicated with her mother, Sandra, who Gail had not seen since she was 12, and finally decided to contact my daughter. To say that we hit it off immediately would be an understatement. We fell in love with each other almost instantly. Neither of us had any doubts that we were father and daughter. We have so much in common, it couldn’t be coincidence. Using photographs when we were the same age, we could have been twins. The characteristics we share border on the incredible. Regardless, well intentioned friends and relatives on both sides were warning us to walk carefully as they were concerned for us both.

Gail then decided that we would have to have DNA tests to stop any doubts forever. We both went to labs and had the samples compared in a paternity test. The results were a perfect match! The highest possible score, 99.99% positive and all 16 of the shared Alelles were a match. It just doesn’t match any more than that!

Last weekend, March 6th and 7th, we finally met face to face. All day Saturday, I couldn’t stop looking at her. She was like being with my female clone. The only surprise was how young she looked. More like thirty than 47. She is very stubborn, just as I have been told I am, and very persuasive, again, just as I have been told I am. She easily persuaded me to go to Mass with her Sunday morning. She converted to Catholicism some time ago. By coincidence she belongs to the same church I attended when I was going to school there from kindergarten through the third grade as a non-catholic, back in 1945 through 1950.

The Saturday we spent together, I will never forget. It was absolutely incredible. I was walking on air with pride! We went to mass on Sunday, then met Susan and Forrest for breakfast. After the horrible winter snows and ice, both days were in the 70s and absolutely beautiful.

Then we went to her house after breakfast and spent the day. I gave her some pictures and some things passed down through my family. Susan fell in love with her and her husband Forrest. They have a beautiful house nestled in a wooded five acres. He is really into outdoor sports and I wished my father were still alive as that was his passion as well. Dad always dreamed of a daughter or son and he passed away believing he would never be a grandfather. I hope he is aware of all this somewhere!

We ended the weekend with a pizza dinner at a local restaurant. I never imagined that I could become so close to anybody in this short a period of time. I decided I wanted to post this here. I am so proud of my daughter I could burst! Here are some pics of her at various ages.

First, my favorite picture of my daughter.

Here is Gail as a child. (Click to enlarge)

Graduation day, 1981.

Gail, with her high school sweetheart, Forrest, before they were married. He is now her husband of 26 years!

In a pickup truck!

In a Colorado Lion preserve.

A few years ago, she went to Rome with her best friend Terri.

Who doesn’t like pizza!

Here she is with her best friend Terri and a priest from the Vatican.

These were taken March 6th and 7th, 2010. Gail and Forrest’s home.

Her husband Forrest today. Good lookin’ son-in-law huh? She has good taste like her Pop!

The first picture I took of my daughter!

Looking at her new, (old), family china.

One of her dogs, Molly.

Her other dog, Sam

Here, towards the end of the visit, I am still staring at my daughter, (I still haven’t got used to saying that), Gail, who I love as though there had never been those 47 years that I lost out on. I intend to make up for that for the rest of my life!

I never dreamed I would become a “Father” at the ripe old age of 69, but I did. I am just thankful that I wasn’t too old to have some years left to enjoy my unexpected daughter. Susan and I love her very, very much!

On March 27th and 28th, Gail and Forrest visited us for the first time.

Here are a few pics. Click to enlarge

Gail.

Bob, Gail and Forrest.

Susan looks very short compared to Gail. Click to enlarge

Bob and Gail.

Gail at about 34 with her dog Molly!

Gail having Molly Blessed by her priest.

To be continued.