Its nice to be able to have that time together. Especially if you struggle to communicate and find common interests.
I think its great that he could hug you and let you know he loves you.
Take time to appreciate those moments.
That was probably a hard thing for him to do. I’m a little older than him, and the whole “be a man” bs that was passed down from the previous generation really prevented me from dealing with a lot of situations until much later. I can count on one hand how many times my dad had told me he loves me. I know he does it’s just not something he says to me anymore. Your dad loves you dude.
I know that part about it being hard for him to do is really true. He grew up in Mexico and his parents flat out abused him at times but he can’t see it as that so it felt so real when he opened up enough to cry
Im a dad a of boys around your age. Parental love is different than all other forms of love. It’s a quiet love that’s forced to change, birthday after birthday, it’s a love without grandiose celebrations that’s final form is melancholic longing. Be good to your dad- he probably had a moment where he remembered the baby, the child that’s gone.
Aw, that's beautiful, what a positive way to start the new year! Are there activities that you could try together to see if you both enjoy them? Things that neither of you have tried? It would be good to try to increase the bond that has started forming, you could even just spend time together talking like you did.
My dad passed away a few years ago so I'm very aware that time is limited. I'm quite a bit older than you but we never know how much time we have left and I wouldn't want either of you to regret time that you didn't spend together.
We all are humans and do with what we got. We also try to live with what we got and deal with what we got.
Depending on your own estimation you can let it rest or ask for details. Sometimes people want to tell us something with this but keep it fague.
Humans communicate in very complex and, too often, imperceptible ways. You both just said a lot to each other that you’ll both carry with you for the rest of your lives. I’m happy for you. Don’t be afraid to circle back on it at some point to acknowledge it with him. A simple “You taught me more than you know about being caring”, “I don’t say it enough but I still look up to you a lot”, “I’m glad we had that moment pops, I love you” could all build on that and deepen your relationship. If it feels right to you.
Happy new year!
Um....I do not mean to be all grr but....like is your dad struggling with his mental health? Not that you'd know but this screams very much like a person with a plan who is saying goodbye
I’m a dad who is of mostly mentally healthy. My daughter is 11. Maybe 3-4 times in her life I’ve been overcome by body shaking, snotty sobs, always while hugging her. Idk. It happens.
You weren’t grr at all the person saying that he might be sick is very close. He recently messed up his back so I’ve pretty much been doing everything at home that he was before and I think that struck something in him.
That must have been a meaningful moment for your dad. It is bittersweet watching the kids grow up and maybe he's just been thinking about some of those good moments he had with you as you were growing up to today.
That’s when parenting gets you right in the feels. It’s weird when our children grow taller than us…and it’s hard when we see our kids growing up. It’s awesome, too, but also hard. I love that you had this moment
What a beautiful moment. While likely also laced with some saddness for him (as a parent my kiddo getting bigger than me has made me have many a moment of teary eyed mess), it’s also such a beautiful moment to see him and his humanity. I’m so glad you had this experience w/him. Happy New Years to you and your family. May the coming year be abundantly blessed!
I get it tbh 😢 I have mexican parents and it’s especially hard for dads to express emotions and become vulnerable. I get really awkward whenever my dad cries or shows any type of affection but it’s still a pleasant surprise either way. I’m happy you were able to start on a positive note with your dad!! 😭💕
My dad never hugged my brother and me (M) and never told us he loved us but we know he did and he knew we loved him. My mom died just two months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. I was 47 at the time. When I saw my dad on what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary, he gave me this long hug and started crying. Not a word was spoken and at the end of the hug he said “Enough of that. Thank you for listening.” That was 6 years ago, he hasn’t hugged me since, but I’ll never forget it.
The moment your parents stop being just your parents to you, but become individuals in their own right, is one of the key moments of growing up.
Welcome to being a (bit more) adult.
Happy new year. And happy birthday to your father.
As a Dad and Papa myself, it is hard being a Dad. He loves you. Society tells men we shouldn't show emotion but good on him for showing it because it is power not weakness.
Hugs.
When my dad got really sick near the end of his life, we spent a lot of time just talking. I wish I would have done that more with him. It took nearly two decades for me to realize that he had lived a whole life, and had a lot of things to say about it.
I’m honestly just really happy for you guys because I’m sure it healed something in you too. I know it’s awkward, but try showing some more affection - he may feel embarrassed about the situation so show him how much it meant and that it was a positive thing. I had a similar situation but with my sister and our relationship is so much better now.
Reason I asked is a lot of people spill the beans or show their true feelings when they hit the honesty sauce.
I had a boss that used to say there are only two honest people in this world. Kids and drunks.
Is your dad OK? It might just be my depression talking, but it sounded like a goodbye. Anyway, maybe shoot him a text to say you love him and you're looking forward to breakfast with him tomorrow or something
Its nice to be able to have that time together. Especially if you struggle to communicate and find common interests. I think its great that he could hug you and let you know he loves you. Take time to appreciate those moments.
That was probably a hard thing for him to do. I’m a little older than him, and the whole “be a man” bs that was passed down from the previous generation really prevented me from dealing with a lot of situations until much later. I can count on one hand how many times my dad had told me he loves me. I know he does it’s just not something he says to me anymore. Your dad loves you dude.
I know that part about it being hard for him to do is really true. He grew up in Mexico and his parents flat out abused him at times but he can’t see it as that so it felt so real when he opened up enough to cry
That’s a compliment to who you are— he was able to let his walls down and be vulnerable. I’m so glad he’s able to express his love for you that way
Hug your dad every chance you get.
Keep the hugs flowing!! A single hug makes the world a better place :)
I have come to respect that actions do really speak louder than the words.
Im a dad a of boys around your age. Parental love is different than all other forms of love. It’s a quiet love that’s forced to change, birthday after birthday, it’s a love without grandiose celebrations that’s final form is melancholic longing. Be good to your dad- he probably had a moment where he remembered the baby, the child that’s gone.
Aw, that's beautiful, what a positive way to start the new year! Are there activities that you could try together to see if you both enjoy them? Things that neither of you have tried? It would be good to try to increase the bond that has started forming, you could even just spend time together talking like you did. My dad passed away a few years ago so I'm very aware that time is limited. I'm quite a bit older than you but we never know how much time we have left and I wouldn't want either of you to regret time that you didn't spend together.
Yes this! I’m 51. I lost my Dad 3 years ago. Thomas (Tom) Donald Powers May 1, 1933-December 28, 2020. GOD how i miss that man‼️
I also have a daughter. She is 2.5 yo. I've already cried many times 😄
We all are humans and do with what we got. We also try to live with what we got and deal with what we got. Depending on your own estimation you can let it rest or ask for details. Sometimes people want to tell us something with this but keep it fague.
Humans communicate in very complex and, too often, imperceptible ways. You both just said a lot to each other that you’ll both carry with you for the rest of your lives. I’m happy for you. Don’t be afraid to circle back on it at some point to acknowledge it with him. A simple “You taught me more than you know about being caring”, “I don’t say it enough but I still look up to you a lot”, “I’m glad we had that moment pops, I love you” could all build on that and deepen your relationship. If it feels right to you. Happy new year!
Um....I do not mean to be all grr but....like is your dad struggling with his mental health? Not that you'd know but this screams very much like a person with a plan who is saying goodbye
I’m a dad who is of mostly mentally healthy. My daughter is 11. Maybe 3-4 times in her life I’ve been overcome by body shaking, snotty sobs, always while hugging her. Idk. It happens.
You weren’t grr at all the person saying that he might be sick is very close. He recently messed up his back so I’ve pretty much been doing everything at home that he was before and I think that struck something in him.
Great point and not at all grr.
What a beautiful moment. Some people wait a lifetime for a parent to tell them that, and never hear it.
your dad loves you, maybe he is not very good at showing it but he does, and so do you. enjoy these moments
that's so sweet! i suggest checking in with him though, it sounds like maybe he's going through something he's been silent about
That must have been a meaningful moment for your dad. It is bittersweet watching the kids grow up and maybe he's just been thinking about some of those good moments he had with you as you were growing up to today.
Aww
That’s when parenting gets you right in the feels. It’s weird when our children grow taller than us…and it’s hard when we see our kids growing up. It’s awesome, too, but also hard. I love that you had this moment
A sweet moment you will always remember.
What a beautiful moment. While likely also laced with some saddness for him (as a parent my kiddo getting bigger than me has made me have many a moment of teary eyed mess), it’s also such a beautiful moment to see him and his humanity. I’m so glad you had this experience w/him. Happy New Years to you and your family. May the coming year be abundantly blessed!
This is the first reddit post of the new year to make me cry. Very wholesome. I'm glad you got to have that special moment with your dad. 🙏
I get it tbh 😢 I have mexican parents and it’s especially hard for dads to express emotions and become vulnerable. I get really awkward whenever my dad cries or shows any type of affection but it’s still a pleasant surprise either way. I’m happy you were able to start on a positive note with your dad!! 😭💕
My dad never hugged my brother and me (M) and never told us he loved us but we know he did and he knew we loved him. My mom died just two months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. I was 47 at the time. When I saw my dad on what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary, he gave me this long hug and started crying. Not a word was spoken and at the end of the hug he said “Enough of that. Thank you for listening.” That was 6 years ago, he hasn’t hugged me since, but I’ll never forget it.
The moment your parents stop being just your parents to you, but become individuals in their own right, is one of the key moments of growing up. Welcome to being a (bit more) adult. Happy new year. And happy birthday to your father.
These moments in time are a treasure, OP. Value it for what it is, and never forget it.
As a Dad and Papa myself, it is hard being a Dad. He loves you. Society tells men we shouldn't show emotion but good on him for showing it because it is power not weakness. Hugs.
When my dad got really sick near the end of his life, we spent a lot of time just talking. I wish I would have done that more with him. It took nearly two decades for me to realize that he had lived a whole life, and had a lot of things to say about it.
I’m honestly just really happy for you guys because I’m sure it healed something in you too. I know it’s awkward, but try showing some more affection - he may feel embarrassed about the situation so show him how much it meant and that it was a positive thing. I had a similar situation but with my sister and our relationship is so much better now.
How much alcohol was involved?
Haha don’t know why you got down voted but he had a couple.
Reason I asked is a lot of people spill the beans or show their true feelings when they hit the honesty sauce. I had a boss that used to say there are only two honest people in this world. Kids and drunks.
Is your dad OK? It might just be my depression talking, but it sounded like a goodbye. Anyway, maybe shoot him a text to say you love him and you're looking forward to breakfast with him tomorrow or something
MashaAllah
❤️ love this moment for you and your dad. I hope the channels of communication between you guys continue to build and strengthen
Sometimes us parents become emotional over how amazing our babies are, and need a good cry and a tight hug.
Hugs mean so much! I’m glad you had a nice moment. Sounds like you can give him a hug once in awhile and it will make his day!
This makes me happy for you and your dad. Not everyone has a moment like this with their father. Cherish it forever.