My dad and I have had a very strained relationship, but I still want to send him a card for his birthday and other events, you know? But the card aisle is totally full of cards that say “you’re the best dad” “to a special dad” and I mean, even “I love you” feels a bit too intense and makes me frankly, really uncomfortable. Like, I still love my dad but I’m uncomfortable verbalizing this. I know getting hung up on greeting cards seems kind of insignificant in the grand scheme of things but does anyone else feel me on this? I looked up the stats and most people have complicated relationships with their dads, you know?

Does anyone have any life hacks for this? What do you wish a card said?

Even for kids of divorce, I think something like a Christmas card that just said “Merry Christmas Dad. I’m thinking of you and sending you warmth”…maybe that would be too cold though?

Am I alone in this?