I always thought my biker dad would walk me down the aisle. Instead, on my wedding day, he vanished. No call. No truck. No goodbye. I stood in my dress, thinking Mom had been right—he’d chosen the road over me.

I married without him, heartbroken. Then Dad’s best friend pulled me aside: “Hawk collapsed. Stage-4 cancer. He tried to come.”

I ran to the hospital still in my gown. Dad was pale, weak, hooked to machines—but when he saw me, he smiled. “Baby girl… you look perfect.” He hadn’t told me because he didn’t want my day to be about him dying.

We moved the wedding to his room. I danced with my husband while Dad watched, crying. He gave me a bracelet: one charm for every bike we rode together, and an angel for the rides we’ll never take.

He died weeks later. But every time I ride, I feel him beside me. He didn’t abandon me—his body just gave out.

I love my biker father. Always will. Ride free, Hawk. Ride with me.