Father’s Day can be beautiful for some and deeply complicated for others. For me, it’s both. This isn’t just a tribute to present fathers—but a personal story about healing a broken father daughter relationship, choosing grace over resentment, and learning how to reconnect across distance, time, and pain.
And as the founder of Explore Blue Travel, where we help women over 40 heal through curated group trips and transformational travel experiences, I know firsthand that travel is often the key to unlocking freedom—from our past, from pain, and from patterns we’ve outgrown.
My Story:
I was raised by an army of strong, loving women—my mother, grandmother, aunt, and older sister—along with incredible foster parents who stepped in when life shifted. Born in California but removed from my home state around age 5, I grew up in Georgia. I didn’t see my father again until I was a grown woman.
For years, I held resentment. Anger. Longing. I was surrounded by good men—my stepdad Smoky, my grandfather Tap, and various foster dads—but deep down, I missed my own daddy. Even when he called, it often came with correction or chastisement. Yet he always spoke with grace.
Eventually, I knew I had to take a step forward. I arranged a trip for my siblings and me to attend a family reunion in Los Angeles, where we would finally see our father again. It was a joyful, emotional, unforgettable trip. A moment I’ll never forget.
But the truth is, building a relationship with someone who missed your childhood takes work. Real work.
Even today, I have to make myself call. Make myself check in. Not because I don’t care—but because healing takes intention.
I’m learning to release what I can’t control. I’m learning to meet people where they are. And I’m learning that grace doesn’t mean pretending the pain didn’t happen—it means choosing peace anyway.
Why This Matters (and Who This Is For):
If you’re a woman who’s ever struggled with the absence of a father, or longed for connection that never came, I want you to know—you are not alone. And your story doesn’t have to end in silence.
As the heart behind Explore Blue Travel, I specialize in helping women—especially women over 40—heal through intentional, soul-shifting group travel. These are not just vacations. These are experiences designed to reconnect you to joy, to purpose, and to yourself.
We’ve seen it happen time and time again:
- Women rediscovering themselves after loss or heartbreak.
- Mothers, daughters, and solo travelers forming sisterhood on new soil.
- And travelers turning pain into power—one destination at a time.
If you’ve ever needed a sign to try again, to call again, to care again…
This is it.
Whether you had a loving father, a missing one, or a complicated one—I see you. I honor your story.
And I invite you to keep healing, keep hoping, and if you’re ready… let travel become part of your transformation.
Sending you love, peace, and a changed heart.
From my red heart to my Blue Family,
Zondra
Want more stories like this?
Visit www.explorebluetrvl.com/tours/ to explore our women’s group trips, read our travel and wellness blog, and download free guides to help you reconnect and recharge through the power of curated travel.
Let’s make healing your new destination.
#FathersDayHealing #BlackWomenTravel #TransformationalTravel #TravelToHeal #FatherDaughterHealing #ExploreBlueTravel #WomenOver40Travel #IntentionalTravel #FamilyHealingJourneys #EmotionalHealingThroughTravel #TravelIsTherapy #HealingStartsHere
