Dad Takes Photograph With New child Daughter—17 Years Later, Replace Melts Hearts

[ad_1] A dad has captured hearts on social media after revealing the bizarre custom he does yearly on his daughter’s birthday—and he’s managed to take care of it for 17 years straight.

Reddit person u/Leather_Food_5978 took to social media to share an image of himself cradling his new child daughter on the day she was born, again in October 2008. He contrasted it with a latest image of the duo recreating the image this 12 months, and there’s one aspect that hasn’t modified in any way.

That’s as a result of, during the last 17 years, u/Leather_Food_5978, who resides in Mesa, Arizona, has saved the precise prime that he was carrying when his daughter was born. Not solely that, however he wears the black shirt yearly on her birthday to mark the event.

The 41-year-old dad advised Newsweek that it “was all coincidence” at first. However after 5 or 6 years, he seen that he’d instinctively worn the shirt on his daughter's birthday with out realizing.

<img id="10987141" alt="" caption="" captionoverride="From left: the photo of Leather_Food_5978 holding his daughter in 2008, and him wearing the same shirt in 2025. Leather_Food_5978 / Reddit" src="Leather_Food_5978 / Reddit" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="792" height="256" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-New-Split-Pic-Template-2025-11-04T085154.026.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> “For the primary 5 or 6 years, I wore it on different days too till I spotted that I saved carrying it on her birthday,” u/Leather_Food_5978 stated. “Then I began taking higher care of it for the sentimental worth. So, for the final eight years it’s been hanging safely behind the closet to maintain it protected.”

He purchased the shirt at a thrift retailer in Tempe, Arizona, and it’s definitely lasted effectively. He doesn’t recall how a lot it price, however he estimates that he’s had it since 2000.

Extra just lately, u/Leather_Food_5978 began to surprise who made the shirt which meant a lot to him. What makes it much more important is the truth that the shirt includes a flag with the letter ‘M’ on it, and his daughter’s title begins with an ‘M’ too.

“We didn't have my daughter’s title picked out on the time of beginning. So, it was all joyful coincidence,” u/Leather_Food_5978 continued.

Yearly, when he digs the shirt out from his closet and places it again on, it’s laborious for u/Leather_Food_5978 to not be overwhelmed with feelings. Though, he doesn’t imagine that his daughter fairly will get it and doesn’t respect the sentiments this shirt brings.

Reddit person Leather_Food_5978 stated: “One thing that was not deliberate, like carrying this shirt, has develop into so vital to me. I’ve moved six instances since she was born, and I’ve all the time dealt with this shirt with further care.”

<img id="10987143" alt="" caption="" captionoverride="Leather_Food_5978 / Reddit and his daughter recreating the photo of him holding her when she was a baby. Leather_Food_5978 / Reddit" src="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="2400" height="1600" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Copy-of-Highlight-circle-2025-11-04T085218.826.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> Certainly, the father-of-one delighted the web when he shared footage of himself carrying the shirt through the years. In only a matter of days, the Reddit publish has gone viral with over 75,000 upvotes and greater than 2,000 feedback on the time of writing.

He by no means imagined his yearly custom would generate a lot consideration, however to his shock, it helped him discover the unique designer of the shirt. A commenter reached out to elucidate that it’s a BMX model he created when he was youthful, following the passing of his dad. Not solely that, however the commenter additionally shared a photograph of himself carrying the identical design when his personal daughter was born.

In spite of everything these years, it was a exceptional second for Leather_Food_5978 to search out the reply as to the place this shirt got here from. He was so grateful to attach with that particular person and share how influential their design had been in his life.

Leather_Food_5978 advised Newsweek: “I hope this publish helps one dad on the market keep motivated and concerned of their child’s life. It’s small, insignificant actions like this that assist youngsters really feel liked. I needed to work laborious to remain concerned with my daughter and hopefully she seems again and is aware of her dad liked her.”

Hundreds of Reddit customers took to the feedback part to reward the sincerity of this candy custom.

One remark reads: “Now I am envious of your love to your daughter. She will name herself fortunate to have you ever.”

One other Reddit person wrote: “I've nothing to contribute aside from telling you you’re a cool dad.”

Whereas one other particular person replied: “That is the sweetest and most healthful publish I’ve seen in so lengthy.”

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