Not everyone grows up with a father who is present, reliable, and emotionally available. For some, the father was physically absent. For others, he was there in the house but emotionally distant, critical, unpredictable, or simply uninterested. This absence—no matter the form—leaves a mark. It’s not always obvious at first. But years later, as adults navigate relationships, make big decisions, or simply try to understand themselves, these marks tend to resurface.
