What started as a completely ordinary workday turned into a moment this father says he will never forget. A message popped up on his phone from his wife’s number, which was unusual enough to make him look twice. But it was not his wife reaching out. It was their eight-year-old son, borrowing her phone and sending a note that hit his dad right in the heart.
The dad shared the story on Reddit under the username u/harbaughthechamp55, describing himself as a middle-aged father. He explained that his son, Logan, wanted to message him while he was at work. The text was simple, sweet, and so earnest it was impossible to read without feeling something. Logan wrote that he could not wait to go on vacation because it was going to be so much fun, and then added two words that changed the whole day.
He told his dad, “I love you.” The father replied, telling Logan their upcoming trip would be great. A second message came in right after, just repeating the same sentiment again, “I love you.” For the dad, it was the kind of reminder that arrives out of nowhere, the kind that makes you pause and realize how big love can feel when it comes in a small package.
The post quickly took off, gathering thousands of upvotes and a flood of comments from other parents. Many people said it instantly brought back memories of their own unexpected moments. One parent recalled being woken up in the middle of the night decades ago, bracing for an emergency, only to hear a child say they just wanted to share their love. That child is now 25, and the parent said that late-night confession still ranks among life’s most treasured memories.
Others jumped in with a mix of tenderness and humor. A few commenters insisted the dad had better have responded with an “I love you too,” especially after receiving it twice. The father reassured everyone that he did respond, though he said the rest of their exchange turned into playful messages and emojis that would not have made much sense as a screenshot.
As the thread grew, it became less about one text and more about what parents recognize in it. These little flashes of affection can seem ordinary in the moment, yet they become the scenes you replay years later. One dad shared a day out with his six-year-old daughter that included a trampoline park, lunch, and a stop at her favorite place, the library. At the end of the day, she declared it the best day ever, and he said he knew he would hold onto that forever.
Have you ever received a small message or offhand “I love you” from your child that stayed with you, and what made it unforgettable? Share your story in the comments.
