does my dad even care to have a relationship with me?

i’m 26 female and barely talk to my dad anymore. he never calls me, just texts every once in awhile and asks how i’m doing. i moved away from home when i was 17 for college and never went back, i lived about an hour away from him for 2 years after college and he never visited my apartment. i bought my first house in 2021, he has never come to visit…. that alone makes me feel like he doesn’t want to be in my life. i always have to go home to visit him and my stepmom. (when i go home i have to visit everyone separately.. we have never all gotten together). my dad and stepmom have been together since i was 7 or 8. i remember as a kid i asked him one time in the privacy of my room, “ do you love her more than you love me?” because that’s how i felt, i always felt like his second choice. and his response was, “i love you both equally.” that killed me right then. and he didn’t even realize the pain he caused me. he was always so focused on her.. and i was only ever with them every other weekend. i can’t remember having many moments alone with him. and he’s definitely different than when he’s with her. i remember one incident when i was with them at a pumpkin patch, we had a long drive home and they had gotten in a fight. i was watching mean girls on my portable dvd player, and could hear them fighting, and as we were going 55 mph she opened the door and tried to jump out. my dad was so pissed. i will never forget that, knowing that was insane and they were not good for each other. there were. a lot of times she did crazy shit in public and at home.

over the years he made me feel like i just reminded him of my mom, who he wouldn’t even communicate with. so that did a number of my self esteem. i tried to change myself to not remind him of my mom. i’m 26 now and have never seen my parents actually smile or hug or even have a conversation. i’ve never heard my dad speak kind things about my mom. yet my mom only ever has good things to say about him. she would never do that to me and try to ruin my perspective of him. now i’m getting married and i told me dad we are having a destination wedding. i know he has never left the country and doesn’t travel, but i let him know and he said well that would mean i have to get a passport. when i told my grandpa he immediate response was Ill be there honey. i don’t understand why i can’t get the same response from my dad. why can’t he be excited for me. i have amazing grandpas and the worlds greatest mom, so i am blessed in that way. but with my wedding coming up ive noticed a lot of emotions and questions surrounding my relationship with my dad and trying to understand him. i only invited him to the wedding because i didn’t think he’d show up honestly. i’m sure he will find an excuse to not go. should i just stop trying to make something out of nothing?

Posted Jun 8, 2026, 5:05 AM UTC

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