Completely unexpected...

Well, last night I came home from Jake's house, after bringing Bandit over to meet Jake's mom (she really wanted to see him) and I go into my Mom's office, but she's on the phone, so I pet one of the cats and then start to leave when she starts talking to Dad. But she calls me back and says that she has something that I really need to see, and she hands me a letter. It's from my "father" (aka: the man genetically responsible for helping make me) and tells me to read it. It was addressed to her, but in the letter, he tells her that he would like to meet with me if I'm at all interested in meeting with him.
I really wasn't sure how to feel after reading that letter. I mean, I've never met the man...I have known about him since I was like 12, and when we moved back up here, I knew what city he lives in and where he works (kinda) and that I could possibly run into him one day down at the neighbors' house (he's still friends with the guy that introduced him to Mom), but I never really thought about going to find him.
I have decided to meet with him, but I want Jake to come with me because I don't want to do it alone, and I'm sure my Mom would rather not go with me, but she will if I need her to. But, the whole time I'm reading the letter, and talking with my Mom and Dad about it, all I can wonder is "why now?" Why did he wait until now to contact (or attempt to contact) me? I mean, I understand that he didn't want to be involved in my life when I was younger (possibly to keep things simple for me), but I turned 18 two years ago...why didn't he try to meet with me then? I just don't understand why he picked now.
But, I am an adult, and Mom and Dad left the decision up to me, and I have decided that I would like to meet him, even though it will be extremely awkward, for both of us, I'm sure. But I have more family through him, and it would probably be a good idea to meet them. Especially since I'm his father's only grandchild (from what Mom says).
Wish me luck!