Dan was the father who always showed up for his children to see them shine and feel proud. When it was about the daddy-daughter dance, it was his favourite. The girls he adored were always excited to have their moment with Daddy.
While most parents just try to show up for their kids, Dan did more for them. He was not just a parent but a good friend, a very soft-spoken and kind man.
Their story began years ago when their children were in kindergarten. After they sat on the breakfast table while attending an event at school, and then separately at a local dinner table until Dan spotted the cubs and bears sticker on the other dad’s truck, Dan knew the man was from his hometown, so he knew the friendship would be true and strong. The hometown pride sparked! Thus, they attended all their kids’ events together, from sports leagues to ceremonies. However, this could not last forever. Life pulled them apart!
As the kids grew up and the dads were all caught up in their personal and professional lives, they weren’t able to meet each other for long. What contributed more to the distance was that Dan moved to a different district. The only chance they had to connect in person was a community-wide daddy-daughter dance that happened once every year. It was hosted by the local park district to showcase and cherish the love between dads and daughters. One of the purest and sacred bonds to exist!
Even when the girls grew up, he never thought they would go anymore. Every year, with the same excitement, he dressed up and took his daughters out. Who knew this would be their most cherished memory of him in some time? Dan selflessly spent his entire life filled with love for his kids and family.
In 2020, the pandemic spread all over the world. People were restricted to their homes, everything shut down, and the dance was put on hold. The event returned as the restrictions were lifted, and Dan’s wait for the most special time of the year was here again. With the same level of excitement and so much love for his girls, he was all set.
Although Dan was able to attend the event, just a few weeks later, he passed away. It was the last time his girls danced with him, his family saw him so full of life, and the last time he met his friend. His wife posted the news online, shocking everyone as he was too young.
The following year, when the time of the dance arrived, his friend found him heartbroken. He missed Dan’s presence and spirit, which used to be sunshine on dark days.
But something caught his eye at the event. A tall teenage boy accompanied Dan’s daughters. He was not the father, of course, so he was filled with curiosity, but that day when he went back home, his eyes teared up reading a Facebook post.
That teen was DJ, the son of his dearest friend and his daughter’s kindergarten classmate. Rather than making the sisters feel left out and sad, the little boy stepped in the most beautiful way to take them to the dance.
He mentioned how he felt, saying, ‘When I realised it was DJ, it truly brought me to tears.’ Not all men think of the boy’s gesture, and he also aims to raise such a gentleman one day.
Although Dan passed away, his legacy will forever exist, according to his friend. The kindness he had is now reflected in his kids. Through loss, family holds you together!
