Father’s Day Without Dad: The Grief That Grows With You

Reflections on Losing My Dad

Losing my dad continues to be one of the most painful, ongoing experiences of my life. I don’t believe that suffering happens for a reason—but I do believe we can uncover meaning and purpose in our pain.

Throughout my career, I’ve found that sharing my story of grief—especially how I’ve coped with the loss over the years—has allowed me to support others with deeper empathy and connection. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t come in a straight line, and that we often find our strength through shared experience.

When I lost my dad, I was “lucky” enough to have friends who had walked the same path. I didn’t need to search for the right words or explain my feelings—they already knew. We shared a pain that didn’t require explanation.

No matter the relationship you had with a parent who’s passed, loss still gets to feel like loss. It can be confusing, surprising, and ever-evolving. Some days, you can anchor yourself in cherished memories that bring comfort. Other days, the sadness washes over you like a wave—unexpected and overwhelming—and you’re left figuring out how to come up for air.

Honoring Grief, Embracing Connection

This Father’s Day, I’m holding space for reflection. I honor my own loss while also acknowledging the bridge of connection it has built—a bridge that has allowed me to sit with others in their grief and offer a path toward authentic, honest healing.

I’ve come to believe that our relationship with someone we’ve lost can continue to grow. Through the ways we carry them in our hearts, the stories we share, and the love we continue to give, their presence evolves with us. It’s a profound privilege to have experienced a love so deep that you continue grieving it in new ways, year after year—until the day you meet again.

Fourteen years ago, losing my dad was devastating. Fourteen years later, it still is.

But in between, there has been growth, meaning, and a deeper understanding of love.

Happy Father’s Day ❤️ AP