He abandoned her at 6 weeks old and never looked back, without a note or a call for 6 years. When he came back he still wasn't a good example of a dad, he came and went without ever being stable for her, but she had my husband. He went on to have another child and a less than ideal situation with that mother. Through that struggle he learned a lot and became someone who I can now see as a dad, not just a father. The best example of this change was the day he called me and apologized for having treated me badly in the past towards our daughter, he stated that he finally understood my need to protect her from the harm he had caused her and he was truly ready to repair that relationship. For me it took a real dad to realize his mistake and not only realize but apologize where it was due. From that day he became an active part of her life by participating in her events and providing her with that stable and loving support