A week before his 75th birthday, my adventurous dad surprised me with a road trip to meet someone important. Curious, I agreed, and we drove to a small coastal town, sharing stories along the way.

At a secluded beach, my dad grew nervous as we awaited a young woman named Clara. To my shock, she revealed herself as his granddaughter from a past relationship. They embraced, shedding tears and exchanging heartfelt apologies for lost time.