Growing up I was very close with my father, however in my teenage years as I individuated and started having a mind of my own, things got tense between us. Ultimately I chose to leave religion behind, and that caused a great riff between me and my father. I very much still wanted a relationship with him but every time would end up getting hurt, and ultimately go back to not talking. I had not spoken to my father since December 2025, when we had another argument over religion, and had decided that I couldn’t keep getting hurt and so I would not keep trying to stay in contact with him. It pained me so much but the pain of getting hurt over and over seemed greater. That was before Shalom for Charlotte. I came across Shaindy Plotzker’s instagram story of the tragedy of beautiful Charlotte and then the movement of shalom and right away thought of my father. I decided that if these two incredible families can make peace after such a terrible incident, then I can keep trying to have a relationship with my father. I called him that week and he was so happy to hear from me, and me from him. We have since seen each other again and I am trying my best to keep it peaceful and respectful between the two of us.