American Idol� reject Kellie Pickler was welcomed back to her home town of Albemarle, N.C over the weekend where she was reunited with her estranged father.

Pickler had not seen her father Clyde Pickler in over three years as he had been serving time for stabbing a fellow trailer park resident in 2003�he then attempted to run down the police officers chasing him.

After a welcome parade Pickler took to the stage and according to People magazine said: "Throughout my 19 years, I've had my ups and downs,"

"I know a lot of people would think I'd have a lot of resentment toward this person, and I don't. I feel blessed to have him back into my life."

�I�ve been prayerful when this person came back to Albemarle, he'd be given a second chance. We all make mistakes and we all learn from them." To her father, she said, "I love you. And am so glad to have you back in my life."

Her father who has been allowed to return to his family said of his daughter: "It's a God-sent blessing that she's overcome what she has in her short life and all she's accomplished, and I'm just extremely proud of what she's done."

Pickler will join the other 11 �American Idol� finalists on tour very soon�