For my 80th birthday, all I wished for was to see my daughter. So, I decided to take a drive to her house and surprise her. When she opened the door, she seemed uneasy and asked, “Dad, what are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to spend my birthday with you,” I replied, smiling. But her response caught me off guard. “Dad, you can’t stay,” she said. “I’m really busy right now.”

Feeling upset, I offered to wait on the couch until she had some time, but she insisted, “No, Dad, you really need to leave right now.” Reluctantly, I turned and headed back to my car. As I walked away, I heard noises coming from inside the house. Concerned, I glanced through a window and saw two unfamiliar people inside. Alarmed for my daughter’s safety, I immediately called the police.

The officers arrived quickly, approaching the house with caution. After a few tense moments, they emerged with the two strangers in handcuffs. My daughter rushed out of the house, tears streaming down her face, and hugged me tightly. “I’m so sorry, Dad,” she sobbed. “I was trying to protect you. Those men broke in just before you arrived. I didn’t know what to do, and I was scared something bad would happen to you.”

I embraced her tight and felt a great sense of comfort. “It’s alright, my dear. Just knowing you’re secure pleases me.

After listening to our stories, the police reassured us that the intruders would be taken care of. In the end, I had the most incredible birthday I could have ever wished for, simply because I got to spend it with my daughter.