At first, I resisted the idea. The thought of being away from my daughter broke my heart. After many emotional conversations, we agreed that I’d stay with a friend for one week instead. Each night, I called Allie to say goodnight, and her little voice asking, “Daddy, when are you coming home?” nearly brought me to tears. My friend tried to keep me company, but nothing felt right. By day five, I couldn’t take it anymore — I decided to surprise Allie with her favorite kids’ meal.
When I quietly entered the house, expecting to see my daughter’s bright smile, I froze. Sarah was there — not alone — but spending time with a coworker in a way that made the truth painfully clear. The “time apart” wasn’t really about bonding with Allie. My heart sank. I left quietly, trying to process what I had just seen and what it meant for our family.
Though our marriage changed, our purpose stayed the same — to give Allie love, stability, and security. One night, as I tucked her in, she asked softly, “Daddy, will you always be here?” I kissed her forehead and promised, “Always.” Our family might look different now, but her happiness remains the heart of it all.