Bob’s New Daughter.
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.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Bob;
I cried when I read this, because I am so happy for both of you. I love Gail, like a sister and no one in the world deserves this happiness more than her. She has been walking on air since you two discovered one another. I could see the connection between you on Sunday at Mass. She was glowing, you were beaming and God was smiling.
Your story is beautiful………..and I believe there are no coincidences.
Congratulations on your new baby girl !!
March 10th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Yeah, jerked a tear from me to Bob, wonderful story! I’m so glad you all found each other.
Here’s to all the time you have to make up for now, all those Birthdays and Christmases, Congratulations!
Guess this cuts into my inheritance huh…
March 10th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Terri,
I got a little teary eyed writing it!
Thanks again!
Bob
March 10th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Bob Jr.
Thanks buddy, I appreciate that!
Dad
March 10th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I am soooo happy for you Bob , have you told her about her adopted brother Moon Pup & sister (Me) LOL .
Do not think my eyes were dry either Bob ! Hmmmmm Now we have to get her building models ! Maybe a panther to start with …… or a ……
Jenny
March 10th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Thanks Jenny,
You, Richie and Mel are great friends!
Bob
March 10th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Not fair, Bob, you made me teary eyed at work!
Bob, I’m really rapt for you and Susan for the absolutely wonderful addition to your family. Your daughter, that’s right *your* (sounds great, doesn’t it?), is stunner and you’re right, she doesn’t look a day over 30.
Rudi
March 10th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Hey Rudi,
Thanks for the nice words! It sounds wonderful!!!!!
I’m a lucky Dad!!
Bob
March 10th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Congratulations, Bob and Susan
You’re a truly lucky man, Bob. It easy to read the jubilation in your writing. Ride that cloud you’re on for as long as you can. Now, you not only build models, you have one for a daughter.
I’ll never forget taking my 35-year-old ex-wife to meet her birth mother, step brothers and sisters for the first time in her life. She knew she had been adopted, but never thought she’d ever find her mother or if she’d be open to re-establishing their special relationship. They had lived only 90 miles apart for more than 20 years.
Your friend,
Randy
March 10th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Bob we are sooo happy for both you and Susan. I know ya’ll are on cloud “9″ and your feet have not hit the ground yet! Enjoy every monent you have with your daughter…. Gail really looks like you! Can’t wait until we meet her!
ps Gil didn’t get his daughter until he was 50!
Love Sydey & Gil
March 10th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Hi Randy,
That was a great story too!
Thanks Buddy!
Bob
March 10th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Hi Sydney and Gil,
Thanks you guys, I’m sure that, sooner or later, you will meet her.
Love you guys!
Bob
March 10th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Congrats and touching Bob
I guess it’s my turn to bring a cigar! =)
See you and Susan soon!
-gordy
March 10th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Thanks Gordo,
That you do!!!!!
You’re always welcome here!
Bob
March 11th, 2010 at 5:18 am
Well now that is a real tear jerker Bob.Congrats to you both.
I’ve allways said that I would’nt trade Anna for 5 boy’s.I hope
I get to meet her someday..
All the best
Big Al P
March 11th, 2010 at 6:19 am
Bob and Susan,
WOW. Congratulations. What a wonderful story and would make a great movie.
Dog lovers as well.
Maureen and I wish you and all your family a great and very long life.
Love,
John and Maureen.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Hey Big Al,
It jerked a few from me! I’m sure that sooner or later you guys will get to meet her!
Thanks Buddy,
Bob
March 11th, 2010 at 7:20 am
John and Maureen,
Thank you for the nice words. We miss seeing you guys! Well, one of these days!
Bob and Susan
March 11th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Congrats Bob and Susan! That is so cool. Thanks so much for sharing the story with us.
Cheers,
Bob W
March 15th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Congratulations, Bob! She looks lovely! As I read your story, I couldn’t help but wonder if she ever crossed paths with my kids. Scott is 46 and Debbie is 43.
I’m finding that, as I get older, life seems to grow a little “dull”. This certainly will, and has, brightened your and Susan’s life. My prayer is that it will continue to do so and that this young lady’s witness to God will bless you with even more light in your future.
Thanks for sending me the article.
Janet Trewatha (McCarty) Springfield, MO.
March 15th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Thanks Bob,
It IS cool!!!
Bob and Susan
March 15th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Hi Janet,
I will ask her if she knew either.
Bob
March 16th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Left me speechless. What an absolutely wonderful story. The Christmas present of a lifetime. You are a very lucky man.
Charles
March 16th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
yo bob read your site very nice congradulations on finding your daughter. pictures are very nice . i just got home from hospital ,catch you latter .. im fine now ///quit the smokes
March 16th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
This IS an amazing story. She looks just like you did when you were younger, Bob…except she is way prettier. She sounds just like your daughter, and Alexis and I can’t wait to finally meet her.
Now you know how wonderful it is to be a father.
Wes
March 17th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Good things happen to good people. Enjoy the family you and Susan have discovered!
Frank…
March 17th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Frank,
Maybe next year we can get back together in Kemah!
Bob
April 14th, 2010 at 2:44 am
Sincere congratulations Bob,
I am really happy for you and wish you all the Best for the future with your grown family!
Cheers
Claude
May 14th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Another chapter in the fascinating life you’ve led Bob. I’m really happy for you both. I guess it’s never too late to have children.