Grieving teen who found father-figure in her teacher gets a special tattoo in his honor — he was awestruck

Some teachers go way beyond their role of educating children. They play an important role in who they become as people, too. A teen had one such teacher who was also a father figure for her. So when she graduated from high school, the girl decided to get a special tattoo in his honor. The girl, Bridgette Edwards, who goes by @b1sab1tch on TikTok, shared the tattoo she got for her favorite teacher with the platform and people on the internet were moved by the gesture.

"Throwback to when I surprised my favorite teacher, who is like a father to me, with a tattoo he wrote for me," the text overlay of the video read. Edwards showed the tattoo on her back to the teacher and he was stunned to find his note tattooed below her shoulder. He couldn't believe that his student had done that for him and was in tears as he saw it. "Know that worrying is paying on a debt you don’t even owe, for those who worry say, 'You only live once,' but you, Bridgette, will only die once yet live every day. Karl," the tattoo read. "Forever will be grateful for him and what he has taught me in life, with so much more to come. Now he’s gonna be a part of me forever and is stuck with me, haha," the caption read.

The man, Karl Turk, had been a big part of her high school and played the role of a father for her, per PEOPLE. The girl lost her dad when she was 11 years old and entered high school as a grieving teen when Turk came into her life. The girl could instantly find similarities between her teacher and her late father. "When I was around 11, my father passed away. Then, when I got into high school, Mr. Karl Turk shared a lot of attributes that my father had." She added, "They have the same name, his daughter has the same last name as me and he’s the same age as my dad was." The man has been her guide throughout her high school and helped her become a "professional person" as well as learn the ways of adulthood.

Her teacher helped her in her moments of doubt and growth, just like a father would. "Words will never express how he helped my life out. So I decided to put his words on my body so I always knew he’d be there." Turk wrote those words for her when she was going through a tough time with her boyfriend. He wrote several paragraphs, but Edwards chose the part that had both of their names in it. "I’m a big worrier. Now, when I get anxious, I just rub my shoulder and remind myself it’s going to be okay." Turk remarked, "Bridgette’s gesture is a permanent testament to me and I am — and will be — eternally grateful."

People shared their thoughts on the gesture in the comments section of the video. @angelbxby.rhi wrote, "I wish I could've gotten a note from my favorite teacher before she passed. I still think about her every day." @yoyoyucki commented, "They have an effect on us for life. I'll never forget the teacher who advocated for me to have a 2-week excused absence after my brother passed. She marched right into the principal's office." @em1lylyn3s remarked, "Remember, you are the reason he keeps going. Many teachers struggle with connecting with students. You have made that man’s entire career better."

You can follow Bridgette Edwards (@b1sab1tch) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.