Mike sits down beside you, and listens intently to every word you say.  As you talk about this Luke character, I still think of how much I'd love to meet him and give him a good ass whipping.  As I see the tears fall down your face, I can barely take it.  I reach over and gently wipe them from your face, trying my best to console you.  As you continue to talk, I can see that you truly don't know what to do.  I can tell that all you want is to feel loved, to feel safe.  And I can offer you those things I think to myself.<br/><br/>It's all starting to come together a little bit to me as you keep talking.  I think that you are keeping those good times from Luke, no matter how few they may have been in your mind, because they made you feel important, and loved.  You so much want those feelings that you are willing to overlook the horrible things he did to you.  But the thing is, I don't know how I can help you see this.<br/><br/>After hearing you explain things to me, I grab your hand and hold tightly.  "Sydney, I know this must be hard on your dad. But you know, your feelings are important too.  I can see that you only want someone to love you, to make you feel special.  And there is nothing wrong with that.  But there is something wrong with this whole situation.  As much as it hurts you, or as much as it may scare you Sydney, you have to let this Luke guy go.  Forget about the good things he did sweetie.  Forget about them.  I didn't do that in my life once before Sydney.  When Brandi dumped me, I couldn't help but remember the good times we had.  Because they gave me the feelings I wanted.  I overlooked the horrible things she did, because it hurt to much, so I just remembered the good times because they made me happy.  But then, one day, I realized that I could never be happy, could never get the things I wanted from life, if I kept on living in the past.  I saw that I couldn't move to the future if i was holding on to the past.  It's impossible.  I just had to make the choice...do I hold on to those things that brought joy and happiness to me so long ago, and depend on them to get me through, or do I let go, and allow new chances to come up.  Do I let them go so I can have a good future, or do I hold on to them and give up any hope of ever being happy again.  Well Sydney, I think you know what the answer to that is.  Had I kept counting on those old memories, I would have never met you.  I would have never had the chance to look into your eyes and see someone I could love.  I would still be back at the hotel thinking about what could have been, not what can be.<br/><br/>And Sydney, I'm not a father, but I think that's what your dad thinks.  I think that's why he seems to be so frustrated with the situation.  He can see that you aren't truly happy, that you are merely holding on to something that happened long ago.  And he knows that there is so much more out there for you if you only let go.  Thats why he gets mad and frustrated.  Not because he doesn't understand, but because he loves  you.  And you know what?  I love you too."<br/><br/>I touch your chin, lifting your head up so I can look into your beautiful blue eyes.  "Sydney, I love you!  I want you to be happy.  But if I can't make you be happy.  You have to do it sweetie.  It has to come from inside of you, because you want it to.  Basically, it's up to you Sydney.  If you want to hold on to the past, you can't expect a future.  Happiness wasn't meant to be a one time thing...it was meant to be a life long thing. Something to be built on each day, to be made stronger.  But if you stop being truly happy, depending on that one time, well, then you are no longer growing.  Whats the point in doing anything else?  You have your happy times to remember, so nothing else with matter.<br/><br/>I know that those words might sound harsh, and I am so very very sorry if they've hurt you at all. But Sydney, I think you needed to hear them.  You have so much to offer.  You're smart, funny...you're beautiful.  But you aren't happy honey.  And that's something we need.  Please don't be mad at me.  And please, think about it, ok?  I want you to be happy...truly happy. I want be able to make you feel safe.  And I want to treat you like the princess you are.  But before I can do it, you have to be ready to accept me, and know that you can be happy again.  I promise you Sydney, if you give me the chance, I'll help you feel happy again."