Meet Dale
Dale Jefferson lived in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This single man turned 44 years old and decided that he wanted a child. Since he wasn’t married or dating, he jumped at the chance to adopt Lise Barber, a 6-year-old. No one else wished to adopt her, and this might be his only shot!
Meet Dale
Very Determined
Dale was not sure why he was so set on it, but he also didn’t really care. He knew that he wanted to have a child and that this could be his only opportunity to make that happen. He later realized he should have been more careful. 28 years after the fact, he found out the painful truth.
Very Determined
She Prompted Them
The police let him know that it was his beloved daughter Lise that was the reason for their visit. Immediately, his race began racing. He hadn’t heard from her in 16 years, so this unexpected visit from the police got him worried sick about the daughter he adopted years ago as a child.
She Prompted Them
The Truth
The police actually reported the information to Dale. They arrived at his door, but he didn’t know what was happening. Dale was surprised that it had to do with Lise and hadn’t heard from her in 16 years! Why were the authorities here?
The Truth
Years Later
After so many years, learning this information about his adoptive daughter came as quite a shock. Dale was certainly overwhelmed. What did he learn that had made the man become so emotional?
Years Later
Painful Realization
Patiently, the police spoke to Dale, telling him about the situation. He became very emotional and started to cry. After all that time, he learned the truth. He wished it was still a secret, but he had to face facts now.
Painful Realization
What Was Going On?
His mind was racing with thoughts and questions. What could Lise possibly be hiding from her adoptive father Dale? Was this something in connection with why nobody had wanted to adopt her? Why did it take a good part of two decades for the truth to come out?
What Was Going On?
One Last Meeting
Dale was heartbroken to learn the truth, but he wanted to see Lise again. The cops helped him do that because they knew he needed closure and answers. What could she have possibly done that took almost three decades to uncover?!
One Last Meeting
Dream Come True
Once Dale adopted Lise, he was so happy. He had wanted to be a father for so long, and he couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Even as a child, he’d hoped for a large family, but he was missing a crucial component for that to happen.
Dream Come True
He Knew What It Would Take
Dale was fully aware of the fact that adopting a child is never an easy undertaking, but the fact was he so wanted to become a father that he was willing to take on the challenges that came along with parenthood. Having a family was always his main priority.
He Knew What It Would Take
Single
Dale was a romantic but had never found his true love. Therefore, he lived the single life and learned to accept it. Still, he wanted to have a child and raise them, so he decided to adopt. Though it wouldn’t be easy, he wanted to try.
Single
Taking It On
Since he was going to be undertaking the adoption process as a single father, Dale was willing to take on the responsibilities even on his own. He was sad that he had not found a partner in life, but he did not want that to be an obstacle in his path for having a family.
Taking It On
6 Years Old
Lise was already 6 when Dale decided to adopt. She’d lived a hard life because she had been in the system since birth. In fact, she befriended fellow orphans, getting close enough to be envious of being rejected so much. She’d never have a permanent home.
6 Years Old
Never Chosen
The more time Lise spent at her orphanage, the more of her friends she saw getting adopted. She kept getting passed over, and she couldn’t help but feeling absolutely rejected and unwanted as she grew older.
Sad Little Girl Looking Down
Her Only Shot
It’s almost impossible for a 6-year-old to get placed into a home. Therefore, the orphanage withheld certain information about her background to give her a better chance. The people running the place thought it was best for everyone.
Her Only Shot
Holding Back
They believed that if they let Dale know too much about Lise’s background, he would end up changing his mind and packing out. However, they knew that eventually he would know the details of her past, and by then, he would have already chosen her as his daughter.
Holding Back
A Good Fit
Lise and Dale hit it off well. She was on her best behavior, and he worried he would have problems trying to adopt again. It was unusual for a single man to adopt a young girl, so he was happy that everything seemed to fall into place.
A Good Fit
A Good Man
Since Dale was always such a good man, he was also a good father. Although it is somewhat usual for a single father to adopt a daughter, Dale was so thrilled to have her and for his dream of becoming a dad finally coming true.
A Good Man
That Age Is Easier
Since Lise was already 6 years old, it made Dale’s life easier. He didn’t have to deal with the constant attention a newborn requires because she was already independent and well-behaved. This girl needed a family and kindness, and he was there to give it!
That Age Is Easier
She Was Disciplined
After spending so much time at the orphanage, Lise was already so disciplined, which made things easier for both her and Dale. The only issue was creating a genuine connection, and Dale tried to do so by being compassionate, kind, and supportive. Lise needed a family, and he desperately wanted to become one.
She Was Disciplined
Years Go By
Dale tried hard to build a relationship with his daughter. They spent time together, and he felt she was doing good. However, he also believed she was holding back. Though nothing could be perfect, he thought he should be doing more.
Years Go By
Trying His Best
As time went on, Dale did his best to be the best possible father he could be, and he did everything to get Lise to trust him. He wanted her to feel comfortable to share everything with him. He felt that hard as he tried, he still felt like something was being held back, preventing things from being perfect.
Trying His Best
Withdrawn
Dale believed Lise was disconnected and distant with him. In fact, she was reclusive. She’d often stay in her bedroom and had few friends her own age. He also realized that she didn’t come home right after school, seemingly to be away from him.
Withdrawn
Why Was She Like This?
Dale couldn’t help but wonder why Lise was acting like this. He was worried that she wasn’t spending time with friends her own age and also she seemed to want to spend time alone and away from him. What was the reason she was so reclusive? He wondered also why she didn’t feel like she could talk to him about it.
Why Was She Like This?
Confusion
Dale wanted to speak to his daughter and get her to be more sociable. However, he also wanted to respect her freedom and independence. Right now, it seemed best to let her roam free and be alone; it might just be a phase!
Confusion
Give Her Space
However, he also wanted to give Lise her independence and freedom, as she seemed to really value both. He wanted to trust her to make her own decisions and mistakes. So that’s why he decided to let her be and not bother her about it.
Give Her Space
Nothing Changes
Lise grew older, but nothing changed. That teenager phase lasted until she turned 18, and then she was ready to go to college and move out. Before he knew it, the time had come for her to head off to the next chapter of her life.
Nothing Changes
Couldn’t Anticipate
Dale hoped she’d make an effort to bond now, but things took a turn for the worse. He had really hoped they would have formed a closer connection before she left home, and he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t realize that it was something he couldn’t have predicted when he had adopted her all those years before.
Couldn’t Anticipate
Losing Contact
During those first few weeks, Dale tried to contact his daughter, but she was farther away from home. It had been hard enough while she lived with him. He knew that it would be a serious struggle to keep in regular contact with her once she was living somewhere else.
Losing Contact
It Made Him Sad
This made him sad, especially when he learned that she picked a college for that reason. He couldn’t visit and check in. It was really hard for him to witness her so easily disconnecting and seeming to settle in to life without him so easily.
It Made Him Sad
The Surprise
One day, Dale decided to go to the college and surprise his daughter. He’d planned for weeks and looked forward to the meeting. He thought that maybe by showing her this gesture, she would open up a bit to the man who took her in and raised her as his own.
The Surprise
Surprising News
Once Dale arrived at the university’s campus, he was excited to see Lise again, but when he asked the receptionist what room she was in, he got concerning news and became upset. He was absolutely stunned, and he never expected that his visit would end up this way.
Surprising News
She Lied
Lise had dropped out of school months ago and never said anything to her dad. She had hidden that from him, and he didn’t even know where she was living. He was exceptionally worried and saddened. Still, her safety was at stake!
She Lied
It Made It Worse
Dale couldn’t believe that Lise had hidden the truth from him for so long. In fact, realizing that Lise didn’t even tell him where she was really staying made him very concerned. He was sad that she had kept the truth for him, but he was the most worried about her safety.
It Made It Worse
Calling Lise
The first thing he tried was calling and texting her phone, but it hung up within two rings. Clearly, she didn’t want to talk to him, and that hurt. He understood that she was trying to keep something from him, but he was still extremely worried that he couldn’t get ahold of her.
Calling Lise
It Was Painful
He was worried about her safety and thought about calling the police. Was it the right thing to do? The fact that she didn’t even want to answer the phone completely broke his heart. Would calling the police push her even farther away from him?
It Was Painful
Really Worried
Dale believed he was a failure as a parent. He just wanted to raise a child and thought Lise was his dream come true. However, he did something wrong because she wouldn’t talk to him, and he didn’t want to force the issue. In fact, he wanted to ensure she was okay!
Really Worried
Ensuring Her Safety
Of course he wanted to be in contact with his daughter, but he couldn’t help but hesitate. If she so desperately wanted to cut off the connection, was it right to force a relationship? He decided that ultimately he just needed to know that she is safe, and the rest was up to her to decide.
Ensuring Her Safety
The Last Try
He decided to send Lise one more message asking her if she was okay. Then, he’d leave her alone. It made him sad to think of the years he raised her, and now this is where they are.
The Last Try
How Things Would End
Dale was truly heartbroken that after all the years he dedicated to raising her, their relationship was ending like this. However, the most important thing for him was to know that Lise was safe. A few minutes later, he got a response.
How Things Would End
She’s Okay
Lise replied with an “I’m okay.” There were no other details, such as an explanation of why she left school or even where she was. In a sense, it was cold. She never thanked Dale for what he’d done or even mentioned the word “dad.”
She’s Okay
He Lost
At that moment, Dale believed he’d lost his daughter. He tried to build a connection with her through the years, but he’d finally lost her and didn’t know why! Eventually, he realized he was wrong, though it took 16 more years before he spoke to Lise.
He Lost
Makes Peace
Dale thought about his adopted daughter every day since he got the text. He wanted to ask where he’d gone wrong. However, he hadn’t heard from Lise in years, so it surprised him when it finally happened.
Makes Peace
Clearing His Mind
One day, Dale was doing yard work because it helped him focus his thoughts better. As he was trimming the flowers, his phone rang. However, it went silent before he could grab it. No one ever called him, so he was curious about who it was.
Clearing His Mind
A Mystery
Dale checked his phone to see that there was a missed call. However, the person didn’t leave a text or voicemail. Most people knew to call his house phone, so he checked there and got nothing. Maybe someone just misdialed or something!
A Mystery
Asking Around
Dale had met a woman named Hannah a few years before, and they eventually got married. She also enjoyed the quiet lifestyle. He went back out to ask if she knew something about the call. Hannah hadn’t, and that confused Dale even more.
Asking Around
The Tragedy
Hannah had two sons who died in a car crash about 20 years before they met. They instantly bonded and connected since Dale felt like his daughter was dead. They each understood the other’s past, sympathizing with the loss and pain.
The Tragedy
Dale’s Heart
Hannah instantly knew that Dale was loving and adorable. He did anything to make her happy and wanted to provide a wonderful life. Therefore, it gave her hope for the future. Nothing could keep the man down, though Dale thought she put too much emphasis on what he did.
Dale’s Heart
No Idea
Hannah said she hadn’t given his phone number to anyone and didn’t know anything about that phone call. She asked if he had called it back, but Dale hadn’t done so because he often got bogus calls that wasted his time. Still, it couldn’t hurt.
No Idea
It Rang Again
Dale tried calling the number but got nowhere. Later, he decided to pour a glass of wine, and it rang again. It was the same person, and he wondered who it was. Though most people used the house number, he’d kept the cell in case Lise tried to call.
It Rang Again
Not Lise
He said “hello” multiple times and finally heard an odd voice. It wasn’t Lise; it was a man. Dale was clearly disappointed. As he listened to the background noise, he heard a woman speak. Dale asked the man’s name and got nothing, which confused him more!
Not Lise
Important Message
Dale realized that the man was holding his hand over the mouthpiece to ask the woman what to say. He asked for Dale by name. Finally, Dale wondered if he should just hang up, but the man said Lise’s name, and that caused him to gasp with shock.
Important Message
Reconnecting
The man said Lise worried Dale might not want to speak to her, but he said that could never happen. Finally, she was given the phone, but there was silence for a few moments. He worried she’d hung up, but then he heard her say, “Hi, Dad.”
Reconnecting
Listening
Lise said she’d done well, but she was calling because she had to get something off her chest. She asked Dale to listen so that she could finish it all in one go, and Dale promised. It had to be important if she’d called after so many years!
Listening
Getting Answers
Lise explained that she felt odd about him adopting her. He interrupted to ask why she had waited so long. It caused her to cry, but he had to know the reason. It had been stuck in his brain for years. Finally, she pulled herself together to tell her dad the truth.
Getting Answers
A Forever Love
While in college, Lise met a woman who had been adopted, and they decided to learn about their biological parents. Her friend convinced her not to talk to Dale, and then it had been too long. She worried he didn’t want to speak to her, and he said that could never happen.
A Forever Love
Her Biological Parents
She’d gotten her birth parents’ records, going to the house to visit. However, she was robbed and lost everything. Still, she didn’t lose hope and had found that her parents didn’t live in that same home. A neighbor said they went into rehab for drug addiction.
Her Biological Parents
The Lucky Break
Lise stayed with friends while finishing her degree and going to work. It was hard to find a place, but then she met the love of her life. They moved in together and were still dating. He supported her decision to get in touch with her dad.
The Lucky Break
Tracking
Overall, Lise worried that Dale wouldn’t want to talk to her, and it was hard to track him down. Finally, she went to the old house and got his last known number from the owners. She still had to make the call, but she continued to wait!
Tracking
Reunited
Dale wanted to be a part of her life and meet her boyfriend. However, he requested to see her in person. They met two weeks later, and Hannah and Lise’s boyfriend were both there. Eventually, they moved closer to each other and saw each other often.
Reunited
