‘She noticed all her friends had two parents’
Despite being only 22 and further away from home than I’d ever been,
I was over the moon – but also worried about how I’d manage.
I thought of Peter, a man who I’d known for a week and was now the father of my unborn child. I only knew his name, and the city listed on his driver’s licence. I had no way to contact him. I’d be doing this alone.
Unfortunately, it also meant I had to move out of the flat I shared with Marlena and into the Navy base. That was the only way I’d receive priority for military housing – something I’d need once the baby arrived.
My little girl was born on 25 January 1986, at the Naval Hospital in Guam. I named her Alicia, a name I’d always loved. When we left the hospital, we stayed with a friend for two weeks before moving into a house provided by my work.
I loved every minute of being a new mum. Of course, it could be hard, but I’d looked forward to motherhood since I was in my teens, so I savoured every minute with my girl.
My friends rallied round, providing the help and advice that every new parent needs – something I was grateful for, being so far from home.
Funds were frequently short, but we had everything we needed. Alicia was a relaxed baby and slept through the night from a very young age. She was always happy, giggling and laughing in the sunshine.
We left Guam when Alicia was one, in 1987, and headed back to America where I was posted at another Navy base closer to my home in Missouri. My parents met us at the airport, dying to meet their new granddaughter.
Alicia was very young when she first noticed her neighbours and friends had two parents while she had just one.
‘ Where is my daddy?’ she asked innocently. ‘Life may take you down but some unexpected paths embrace them all – some of the biggest surprises turn out to be the best!’
‘His name is Peter and he lives in California,’ I told her. At that age, this simple answer satisfied her curiosity.
But throughout her life the questions continued, even when she left home in September 2004 to join the Navy herself. Though I hoped she’d find a way to track down her father, I didn’t give it much thought. It seemed like such a long shot.
But in February 2020, Alicia called. ‘I’ve had a message from 23andMe, a DNA genetic testing and analysis app,’ she said shakily. ‘They’ve found my dad. I’m going to message him.’
I was terrified she’d get hurt. After all, Alicia had known about him her whole life but Peter had no idea of her existence. I hoped he wouldn’t be angry.
But I needn’t have worried. Peter messaged her back the same month and was the same great person I’d met all those years ago.
He was married with two daughters, and living in Los Angeles, California. After chatting online, Alicia invited Peter, now 63, and his wife Camille, to her home in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June of this year. Alicia was 34.
She told me after their weeklong trip that it was like she’d known him her whole life, and she noticed similarities in their appearance and mannerisms.
Now 56, I haven’t met Peter and his family yet, but we share a daughter, so I’m sure we’ll see each other again in the future.
I’d never have dreamt my holiday romance would leave me with a baby, but it was honestly the best thing that could have happened to me!
‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned’