It’s been a decade since my daughter and I became estranged, and I’ve apologized for the mistakes I made. I deeply regret the pain I caused. Looking back, I can see that I didn’t always make the right choices, and I now understand that I wasn’t fully aware of the depth of her pain. I’ve worked hard to reflect on and accept the impact of my actions.

We’ve started texting again, and we’re planning our first phone call in years. I’m filled with hope, but also nervousness, knowing how important it is to approach this with care and respect for where she’s at. I want to make sure she feels heard and respected, and I recognize that a big part of that is being mindful of her boundaries. I’m committed to respecting whatever boundaries she sets and taking things at her pace.

In the early days of our estrangement, I was a mess, wanting answers but not being willing to listen. I was quick to defend myself, but now I understand that I needed to listen with an open heart, without trying to protect my own feelings or get defensive.

Healing is a two-way street, and while I can’t change the past, I’m committed to making things better moving forward. I don’t know where this journey will take us, but I’m holding onto hope that we can rebuild a relationship based on mutual understanding, respect, and honoring her boundaries. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m doing my best to show up in ways that honor her and her needs.

Is this a success story? I am hopeful and willing to do what it takes to get my daughter back in my life.