Couple who grew up fatherless saw a single dad with his daughter at restaurant—they left a note that moved the dad to tears
Being a single parent might not be an easy thing all the time. So it can be really heartwarming to receive unexpected appreciation from strangers for everything you do for your child. A single dad who had taken his 6-year-old daughter out on Valentine's Day received a heartwarming token of appreciation from a couple who grew up without fathers. The strangers also left a wholesome note for the dad, who was left in tears after the incident, per his post on Imgur.
The dad posted a photo of the note the strangers left him and said, "I wish I could thank them." The note read, "Hi there, Sorry to spy but my husband and I saw you out with your little date and were so impressed with what a great dad you are." The person added, "From two adults who grew up without dads, it's so important to have a male role model at a young age." They told him to "keep up the good work" and shared that the dinner was on them. The couple had paid the man's bill, but he couldn't see them and wished that he could have thanked them in person.
"As a single dad, I took my six-year-old daughter out to Valentine's dinner tonight when this happened. I won't lie, I teared up at the table. So, thank you, random strangers. Thank you," the man expressed. A strong father-daughter bond can also be very beneficial for young girls, according to Marriage.com. A daughter might grow up with improved self-esteem if her father engages with her and listens to her opinions and provides encouragement. It could also alter a girl's perception of stereotypical gender roles and broaden her perspective, per the outlet. The daughters raised by single dads also might have more practical life skills and an ability to communicate their emotions much more clearly.
Many people appreciated the dad and the couple in the comments section of the post. Caius4 wrote, "So important. So damn important. Her future expectations are set on these memories. You are the best." kalika999 commented, "That's awesome! Good on them and good on you. My dad is my hero, she will always remember these moments with you." guantanamobayxx remarked, "This made me tear up while I read it, because my son's father barely comes to see him anymore. It makes me happy to know men like you exist."
In another similar story, a single dad with four daughters, u/IcyStage0, requested people to give dads the responsibility they deserve and to stop treating them like "babysitters." The man shared that he has looked after his daughters "completely" as a single dad, but his presence as a parent had been ignored several times in social settings. "I've had to change my babies on countless men's restroom floors because there was no changing table. I've gotten so many dirty looks for taking my kids into the men's room, but I can't go into the women's room and I can't leave them alone, so what am I supposed to do?"
He also shared how strangers would assume his kids were alone, even when he would be standing right next to them. "Why can't dads as a whole step up to the plate as full-fledged parents so these things don't happen? We're fine, we'll live, but it just sucks to constantly be reminded that kids 'need' a mom and I'm not one," the dad highlighted.