Birthday girl at the salon mentioned her separated dad forgot to wish her — the stylist tried to cheer her with one photo, but it backfired
There's no bigger heartbreak than parents forgetting their child's birthday. Threads user Crissy (@ohheyitscrissy) was upset when her dad forgot to wish her a happy 19th birthday. Crissy's parents had been separated for a while. Although she was used to her dad forgetting her birthdays, she was particularly hurt by it that year. To cheer her up, her mother booked a hair appointment as a gift. At the salon, when she vented her feelings to the stylist, the woman tried to cheer Crissy up with a photo, but it left her even more upset. Sharing the story with fellow Threads users on January 20, 2026, she revealed how she felt when she saw the picture for the first time.
At the appointment, she instantly connected with the hairdresser, who told her that she had to work on her birthday. When Crissy sympathized with her, the hairdresser revealed that she had actually enjoyed it since one of her clients had sent cake and balloons to her workplace. She then proceeded to show the picture, which left Crissy stunned. It turned out to be Crissy's dad who had brought the hairdresser the birthday surprise.
"Bye, I never vent, but this is what I feel like right now," she wrote, expressing her disappointment that her dad forgot her birthday but surprised a stranger instead. According to a report published in Artful Parent, a child may not recall the expensive gifts their parents gave them. But they certainly would remember how the parents reacted to things that truly mattered.
According to psychologist Lindsey Godwin, Ph.D., "Research shows that small, unexpected moments often create the most lasting and meaningful memories." While Crissy was heartbroken after her father forgot to wish her on her birthday, it hurt even more to learn that he had shown up for others instead of his own daughter.
Crissy's post sparked many reactions among internet users who could not stop laughing at her self-deprecating humor. Many users also sympathized with her and shared their personal anecdotes. @dangerdee02 recounted, "My half-brother must have felt this when our dad abandoned him to have children with another woman who he also abandoned." @sacredlyraging apologized, "I'm sorry for how quickly and loudly I laughed at this. I heard it in my head. I'm so sorry." @annnnyyyyyyyaa wrote, "Oh my lord the whole man belongs in the bin."
Unlike Crissy's dad, who never bothered to celebrate his daughter's birthday, some fathers are determined to be present for their children's biggest milestones, even while regaining strength on the road to recovery after terrible accidents. When one father, Joshua Ray Farmer, was involved in a crash, he suffered multiple life-threatening injuries, including a crushed spine.
However, one thing kept him motivated to recover quickly: his daughter's 20th birthday. Farmer wanted to dance with his daughter on her birthday and was willing to fight to recover. Much to everyone's surprise, the man slowly began to regain strength with the help of the titanium spine doctors had created for him. Additionally, his friends and family began a fundraiser to cover his medical expenses.
For more such content, follow @ohheyitscrissy on Threads.
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