Her dad left her mom for another woman. But a beautiful home video two years later captured the regret he carried
When people cheat on their partners and abandon them for the newfound love, it ends with a lot of guilt. TikTok user Cali's dad abandoned her mother when she was six months old. But two years later, a beautiful home video he had captured of her mother showcased the regret he carried. Shared on December 30, 2025, under her handle @cali_cat, the video with over 5 million views sparked reactions from online users, who supported her mother and called out men who express regret only after losing what they had.
TikTok user Cali shared a sweet home video from the '90s. The video dates back to May 1, 1993, and features a young Cali, along with her mother, who is believed to be hosting a party for kids. The video, which was captured by her father, focuses on her mother walking around, while she chooses to ignore him filming her. Cali explains in the closed captions that her father had left her mother for another woman when she was six months old. "He regretted that decision for the rest of his life," she wrote. The footage was captured two years after their divorce on his camcorder. "That man was still in love. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, guys," she wrote.
A 2024 study published in the Family Journal examined how guilt and regret vary among people who commit infidelity. The data was analyzed from 196 adults who had cheated on their romantic partners. The results showed that most individuals experienced post-infidelity guilt. However, the findings also suggested that emotional reactions after cheating depended more on how the infidelity happened than on whether it was emotional or sexual. While Cali believes her father felt deep regret, it remains unclear whether his feelings stemmed from lingering love or from losing a chance to rebuild what he had left behind.
@cali_cat09 Finding this in the home movies wasn’t much of a surprise. I knew he was still in love with her. My mom deserved better. We all deserved better. #homemovies #nostalgic #90s #fyp #childhood ♬ original sound - stevies_angelsx
Soon after the post went viral, many users shared their thoughts on the video, which has so far amassed 5.5 million views. @Jess wrote, "He wasn't in love with her; he was in love with the bright light she shone on everyone else that he no longer had the privilege to receive. Same story for every man who ever cheated and 'regretted' just another story of a man with no self-esteem hurting the person they claim to care about, then having the audacity to crave the love they no longer get." @Marisa Brooks commented, "Men that can't love a postpartum woman when she needs it the most don't deserve her when she gets her pink back." @JaneyPaney noted, "She didn't give him even a moment of eye contact, either. Slay Queen."
For more such videos, follow @cali_cat on TikTok.
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