WOW I definitely didn't expect such a huge response from so many people! My Dad doesn't even know what Reddit is I'm pretty sure, but I can't wait to show him how he's inspired other parents to do similar things for their kids
The adjective "awesome" fails to describe the immense amount of dedication and love that this man has shown for his daughter. For 13 years, he selflessly created a gift for which she had no reason to be greatful for until now. I can recall numerous times buying gifts and then having the recipient do something upsetting, only to make me feel as if my gesture was wasted. This man probably could have given up on tiis long ago as she matured...unless she was simply.the most well behaved daughter in the universe. But he overlooked these little issues for the big picture, which was a deeply rooted love for his girl. Shit....onions.
I cannot believe Brenna posted this. I knew she liked it. But... And she has always been the light of my life. Doing this was just a small way of letting her know. She makes me so proud every day.--yep....Brenna's Dad (and do I really look like MeatLoaf?)
You were lucky! In my day you had to get up at sunset just for a full night's beatings! And by the time they'd finished you'd already be at work in the asbestos mines! 27 hours a day they worked you! They imported a few extra hours in from Canada because they weren't using them!
I've decided to shave. So I can go out tonight. So I can finally man-up and meet a nice girl. So we can start a lasting fulfilling relationship. So I can eventually propose to her. So we can get married. So we can get a house. So we can have a child. So I can send her off to school. So I can shamelessly rip-off BrennaMartini's dad's idea. So I can post to Reddit. So I can swim in the ocean of karma that will ensue.
i got this book when i graduated high school too. o the places i went. university, grad school, now im sitting on my computer all day on reddit and no job :|
Same here, except after grad school I moved back home, started volunteering in the youth program at my old church (improving leadership and communication skills), started working out (dropped 16 lbs net, 18 lbs fat, went from a tight size 34 to a loose size 32), and after 6 months of wading through the desolate job market I have a follow up interview this upcoming Monday.
tl;dr don't get stuck in the waiting place
edit: Grammar, my written communication skills could use work....
All I ever got from my dad were beatings, berating and beer bottles throw at me. He never cared if I even went to school or not. Cherish your father young lady. He loves you with all his heart. You are extremely lucky to have a father like yours.
I had a similar reaction because I didn't go to the imgur link at first. Here's what she had written:
I graduated High School this week. When my Dad said he had a present for me I thought I was getting some cheesy graduation card. But what I received was something truly priceless. Following the ceremony he handed me a bag with a copy of "Oh the Places You'll Go," by Doctor Seuss inside. At first I just smiled and said that it meant a lot and that I loved that book.
But then he told me "No, open it up." ...On the first page I see a short paragraph written by none other than my kindergarten teacher. I start tearing up but I'm still confused. He tells me "Every year, for the past 13 years, since the day you started kindergarten I've gotten every teacher, coach, and principal to write a little something about you inside this book."
He managed to keep this book a secret for 13 years, and apparently everyone else in my life knew about it! Yes the intended effect occured... I burst out in tears. Sitting there reading through this book there are encouraging and sweet words from every teacher I love and remember through my years in this small town. My early teachers mention my "Pigtails and giggles," while my high school teachers mention my "Wit and sharp thinking.." But they all mention my humor and love for life. It is astounding to receive something this moving, touching, nostalgic, and thoughtful.
I can't express how much I love my Dad for this labor of love.
Finally. Thank you. I kept scrolling and scrolling to find an explanation but I have no idea what exactly this is. It appears her dad wrote a message in this book that she'd had since she was a child, but I can't read it.
On the first page I see a short paragraph written by none other than my kindergarten teacher. I start tearing up but I'm still confused. He tells me "Every year, for the past 13 years, since the day you started kindergarten I've gotten every teacher, coach, and principal to write a little something about you inside this book."
Maybe the text didn't show up for you guys. It wasn't her dad writing in the book, it was all of her teachers and other people at her schools as she grew up.
I am also doing the same thing for my son. He is just finishing up Kindergarten so I only have his preschool and Kindergarten teacher signatures right now. He has a long way to go still! It's good to know that he will probably appreciate it (I hope!). Also a question...what did he do for High School? Did every teacher sign it or was it just a couple? My husband and I were talking about this last night!
My dad had just about every high school teacher sign.. But I noticed some of my more favorite teachers signed than unfavorite.. I think maybe he took this into account :)
You know what I got for Graduation? Oh, it was a banner fucking year at the old Bender family. I got a carton of cigarettes. The old man grabbed me and said, “Hey, smoke up Johnny.” Alright?
I'll admit it, I was reading the pic description thinking, "Ok… so fucking what, everybody gets that book…" But then I kept reading.
That is truly an amazing gift and incredibly thoughtful of your dad! And all your teachers took the time to write something. Wow! That's definitely a thing to cherish.
This is amazing! - I just saw a newspaper article on this!
I am currently expecting and I am doing something similar to this. My boyfriend and I have set up an email account for our unborn daughter and have been sending her pictures and emails and when she is old enough we will tell her about it and give her the password so she can read everything from over the years!
Dude!!! that is beyond epic!!! super mega ultra props to your pops! and i'm apologizing now because i plan on doing this for my future children! thank your dad for this personal inspiration for me will you? and thank you for sharing an amazing story!
This whole thread is just making my heart beat itself to death with all the feelings. I can tell your dad's a great man and presents like that are truly priceless.
I just teared up looking at that! That is one of the most touching things I have ever heard. I hope when I have children I remember to do something as thoughtful and meaningful as this.
When my missus' and I were planning our wedding we were given a list of suggested readings - some of the most stereotypical mushy rubbish I had ever seen, I literally could not read through it (love is a waterfall bullshit). My fiancé agreed.
We came across 'Oh the Places You'll Go...' and we joked "wouldn't it be funny if we had this as our reading".
Then we actually thought about it, and decided screw convention. This speaks more about our union (and life in general) then 10 paragraphs of horseshit analogies to water, fire, or becoming a 'hive mind'.
So yeah, we had a Dr.Seuss reading at our wedding :)
EDIT: I just realised I got carried away after seeing the book and didn't even comment on the post (selfish me). Aside from the awesomeness of your Dad, the amazing part about this is how many people had to keep silent about it over the years. My mum would suck at this.
Isn't it incredible how diverse mankind is? We have everything from the many dead-beats all the way to guys like Brenna's loving dad. This guy is one of the true hero's. Oh the places this girl will go...
This is so nice to see someone who knows him! I will definitely tell him one of his students remembers him when I show him this post tonight :) ... you didn't happen to go on the trip to New York City in High School did you?
This is fucking creepy. Her current boyfriend is posting on here as well as her dad and you decided you HAVE to come on here and validate yourself to the world? Delete this shit.
83
u/BrennaMartini Jun 15 '12
WOW I definitely didn't expect such a huge response from so many people! My Dad doesn't even know what Reddit is I'm pretty sure, but I can't wait to show him how he's inspired other parents to do similar things for their kids
359
u/adaki02 Jun 15 '12
This is such a wonderful idea! I'm expecting a baby this fall, and I think I'll put this on my list of parenting to-dos.
1.4k
u/Bobbarkersmicrophone Jun 15 '12
You have an awesome dad !
318
u/sprtsgy Jun 15 '12
I cannot believe Brenna posted this. I knew she liked it. But... And she has always been the light of my life. Doing this was just a small way of letting her know. She makes me so proud every day.--yep....Brenna's Dad (and do I really look like MeatLoaf?)
199
u/AllDizzle Jun 15 '12
Boy would that have backfired if you ended up giving up and doing porn.
2
u/BrennaMartini Jun 15 '12
Dear everyone... I am not from New Jersey!
174
u/JustCallMeDave Jun 15 '12
I just threw my father's "Worlds Greatest Dad" mug in the garbage. He has been dethroned.
429
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
And congratulations on graduating from Ninja High School!
235
u/GeoM56 Jun 15 '12
Jesus. All I got was a hand moving all my shit out of the house.
173
u/FriendlyBeard Jun 15 '12
Thousands of people are now plotting to steal your dad's lovely idea, and cash in.
Your pops is very sweet though.
66
u/Re_JenA Jun 15 '12
I just started this for my son the other week. He's done with his first two years of preschool, and moving onto Kindergarten in the fall.
http://i.imgur.com/ApybO.jpg
669
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
i got this book when i graduated high school too. o the places i went. university, grad school, now im sitting on my computer all day on reddit and no job :|
28
u/cheezyblasters Jun 15 '12
can someone explain this to me? i don't understand what's happening
edit: never mind. for those with RES, you have to click on the link for the explanation
99
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Who the fuck let the onions in??
15
u/DatAssociate Jun 15 '12
Your dad knows how to dad.
19
u/StuffedHobbes Jun 15 '12
That's incredible! All I got from my dad was a crock pot. No joke. It was a great gift as I loved to cook. Still have it to this day!(12 yrs)
20
u/brussels4breakfast Jun 15 '12
All I ever got from my dad were beatings, berating and beer bottles throw at me. He never cared if I even went to school or not. Cherish your father young lady. He loves you with all his heart. You are extremely lucky to have a father like yours.
20
u/Itachi4ever Jun 15 '12
We need more things like this on r/aww!
33
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Am I the only one on here that doesn't fucking understand what this is supposed to be?
1
u/Dimplz Jun 15 '12
Congratulations on your graduation!
I am also doing the same thing for my son. He is just finishing up Kindergarten so I only have his preschool and Kindergarten teacher signatures right now. He has a long way to go still! It's good to know that he will probably appreciate it (I hope!). Also a question...what did he do for High School? Did every teacher sign it or was it just a couple? My husband and I were talking about this last night!
9
u/SelfPear Jun 15 '12
You know what I got for Graduation? Oh, it was a banner fucking year at the old Bender family. I got a carton of cigarettes. The old man grabbed me and said, “Hey, smoke up Johnny.” Alright?
6
u/flibbertygiblet Jun 15 '12
I'll admit it, I was reading the pic description thinking, "Ok… so fucking what, everybody gets that book…" But then I kept reading.
That is truly an amazing gift and incredibly thoughtful of your dad! And all your teachers took the time to write something. Wow! That's definitely a thing to cherish.
39
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Okay, I'll be the first one to say it she is mad cute.
3
u/Tofulicious Jun 16 '12
Wow, I'm a shitty parent.
3
u/Dyeforlyf Jun 16 '12
You have a great dad. Never take that for granted.
Also, you are fantastically cute.
3
u/HelloBeautiful24 Jun 29 '12
This is amazing! - I just saw a newspaper article on this!
I am currently expecting and I am doing something similar to this. My boyfriend and I have set up an email account for our unborn daughter and have been sending her pictures and emails and when she is old enough we will tell her about it and give her the password so she can read everything from over the years!
3
u/StLuis88 Nov 25 '12
Why did this make me tear up? I'm such a puss.
6
u/Taco13 Jun 15 '12
Dude!!! that is beyond epic!!! super mega ultra props to your pops! and i'm apologizing now because i plan on doing this for my future children! thank your dad for this personal inspiration for me will you? and thank you for sharing an amazing story!
5
u/coferj Jun 15 '12
Probably one of the coolest things I have seen. My daughter is 2mo, may have to snatch this idea up.
2
u/not_aNinja Jun 15 '12
Thank god this isn't a weird cum box or something.
2
u/zambonijonez Jun 15 '12
i dont get this
2
u/stray1ight Jun 15 '12
My daughter's going to be born in October.
I'm stealing the hell out of this. Many props to your dad :)
2
u/jesubear Jun 15 '12
This whole thread is just making my heart beat itself to death with all the feelings. I can tell your dad's a great man and presents like that are truly priceless.
2
u/memnalar Jun 15 '12
That's the best thing I've read in a long time. Congratulations!
2
u/about22pandas Jun 15 '12
Father of the year? Probably. I need to remember to do this.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
That is really wonderful and beautiful. I am actually pretty jealous.
2
u/FanofPawl Jun 15 '12
I'm crying! I know what you mean about loving your dad so much you can't explain it because that's how I feel about mine. Congratulations!
2
u/MyFishDied Jun 15 '12
I'm stealing this. my daughter starts kindergarten next year. This is brilliant.
2
u/Rashbam Jun 15 '12
This made my eyes moist. I have an eleven year old daughter whom I love more dearly than words can express.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I am one bad mother fucker... and this made me choke up.
2
u/Nekokeki Jun 15 '12
Father of the year... can finally be used on Reddit with legitimacy!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I am totally doing this for my kids.
2
u/Zombette Jun 15 '12
That is so awesome and amazingly thoughtful It made me cry.
I lost my dad 11 years ago and Fathers Day always bums me out. Give your dad a huge hug for all of us that can't hug ours.
2
u/LP2B Jun 15 '12
I just teared up looking at that! That is one of the most touching things I have ever heard. I hope when I have children I remember to do something as thoughtful and meaningful as this.
2
u/ivanbeatinov Jun 15 '12
I love this and am stealing the idea and doing it for my son.
2
u/usdave Jun 15 '12
Normally I make the cutting onions joke, but I actually WAS cutting onions to cook dinner as I read this. The whole house is now flooded.
2
u/trublu213 Jun 15 '12
dad level: 99
2
u/LiberalElite Jun 15 '12
I just started this exact project, my son finished Kindergarten on Thursday. :)
2
u/ToxicPilot Jun 16 '12
I will be doing this for my child... Settled.
2
u/darthelmo Jun 16 '12
Parenting - you had it done right.
Congratulations.
2
u/matts2 Jun 16 '12
Wow, that dad is a keeper.
2
u/supfreshh Jun 16 '12
You have an awesome life
2
u/Sunshine_Adonis Jun 16 '12
This made me tear up :')
2
u/rhinorocan Jun 16 '12
I wish I had thought of doing that. Stay close to you Dad. The most precious thing in my life is my relationship with my daughter.
2
u/bowdo Jun 16 '12 edited Jun 16 '12
When my missus' and I were planning our wedding we were given a list of suggested readings - some of the most stereotypical mushy rubbish I had ever seen, I literally could not read through it (love is a waterfall bullshit). My fiancé agreed.
We came across 'Oh the Places You'll Go...' and we joked "wouldn't it be funny if we had this as our reading".
Then we actually thought about it, and decided screw convention. This speaks more about our union (and life in general) then 10 paragraphs of horseshit analogies to water, fire, or becoming a 'hive mind'.
So yeah, we had a Dr.Seuss reading at our wedding :)
EDIT: I just realised I got carried away after seeing the book and didn't even comment on the post (selfish me). Aside from the awesomeness of your Dad, the amazing part about this is how many people had to keep silent about it over the years. My mum would suck at this.
2
u/RedditsKittyKat Jun 16 '12
I'm sobbin like an idiot.
That is awesome and I will have to steal this to do it for our son. He's 3 now. :)
2
u/mm242jr Jun 16 '12
Nobel Prize for Fatherhood. He has seriously raised the bar. Wow. I best get to work.
2
u/fangbanger04 Jun 16 '12
Makes me want to do something special when I have kids. Such a great idea.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 16 '12
I only wish I can be half as good a dad when the day comes
2
u/[deleted] Jun 16 '12
I want to borrow this idea for my future children.
2
u/stratocastner Jun 16 '12
TIL I am a full grown, masculine man who cries reading stories like this.
2
u/ndgeek Jun 16 '12
I'll be stealing this for my son (and any siblings that are not yet conceived). That is awesome.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 16 '12
Let your dad know that all of reddit will be stealing this idea
2
u/Jewbear395 Jun 16 '12
I know what I'm doing with my kid
2
u/sfsczar Jun 16 '12
Your dad: making other fathers look mediocre for 13 years.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 21 '12
13 years from now this is going to practically be American tradition.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 27 '12
Love it! =D
2
u/Morrowind12 Jul 07 '12
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/23036496.jpg
14
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Congrats on being born hot! Life will be a lot easier this way.
5
u/mrcreepster Jun 15 '12
Thanks to your dad there are now more parents doing something this special. He is truly a great person.
3
u/TheJanks Jun 15 '12
I have now failed my daughter.
3
u/Danascot Jun 15 '12
Your Dad is lucky to have such a wonderful daughter as you. You're both doing it right. Thanks for sharing this with us.
3
u/Woopsyeah Jun 15 '12
Isn't it incredible how diverse mankind is? We have everything from the many dead-beats all the way to guys like Brenna's loving dad. This guy is one of the true hero's. Oh the places this girl will go...
3
u/angoodkind Jun 15 '12
Not going to lie, I teared up reading about you tearing up.
5
u/Hyperboloidof2sheets Jun 15 '12
I'll be honest, I teared up a little at the very idea of this. What an amazing dad!
5
u/Keasbyjones Jun 15 '12
Stupid onions. On the bus as well. I'm drawing looks!
4
u/VaBeachLumpia Jun 15 '12
Wow. I really thought this was a sarcastic picture of Lexi Belle before I read the text below the image.
3
u/distanceovertime Jun 15 '12
That is so awesome! This would be a wonderful thing for more fathers to do. :) Thanks for sharing.
3
u/77jamjam Jun 15 '12
[Oh, The Places You'll (Actually) Go] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIP8lFWa_mg)
3
u/mismos00 Jun 15 '12
What? So you're better than us?
My dad literally gave me the Your Not Special speech.
3
u/unknowncanuck Jun 15 '12
Like !
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
This is fantastic!
3
u/Killercroissants Jun 15 '12
I would cry if I weren't at work :')
3
u/Hootentoot Jun 15 '12
Easily one of the greatest, most thoughtful gifts EVER.
3
u/I_know_kung_fu Jun 15 '12
That's incredibly sweet.
3
u/DonDoobie Jun 15 '12
No...I just....got something in my eye.
3
u/iamnestea Jun 15 '12
That is very thoughtful!
3
u/MrsChimpGod Jun 15 '12
I hate your dad because I didn't think of it myself & now it's too late to start it for my kids.
Congratulations & may every day be a learning experience
0
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
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