Dad Becomes Teary-Eyed upon Seeing Present His Daughter Got Him for Christmas: 'I've Been Waiting 30 Years'

A family man's selfless act came full circle after his child made it worthwhile several years later. His daughter was only young when he sacrificed for the family; she took that as a lesson.

TikTok user Lindsey Moore pulled a heartfelt surprise for her father, Ted Lawver, and captured his reaction on camera. In November 2023, she uploaded a video on the platform revealing what she bought for him for Secret Santa.

The clip, which went viral, showed the family gathered around to exchange their gifts. Once it was Moore's turn, her dad read a note she penned for him.

At first, the family patriarch attempted to read the letter but stated he could not do it. His wife was the one who eventually read it aloud to the loved ones.

The note read: Dad, this was one of my most vivid childhood memories. [...] I was maybe seven or eight, and you left me and Nick in the car to go into a comic bookstore. Money was tight, so you were selling your most prized possession. At least I viewed it as that."

Moore expressed that at that moment, she felt her father's sacrifice, and since that day, she learned that she would do whatever was necessary so that her future family never needed anything.

Moore explained this lesson had stuck with her since that moment. "It taught me the value of the greater good. Everything I do in life, whether you work hard or good, was for the greater good's benefit," she said. The Tennessee native recalled in the note that once her dad returned to the car with some money to pay for the bills due and groceries needed, "My seven-year-old mind was determined to buy it back."

Moore told herself she had to work hard to repay her beloved parent "for the greater good." Although she acknowledged that she would never be able to repay the entire debt, her younger self would be pleased to see her fulfill the promise she made.

Moore ended the note by thanking her dad for all he had done for the family, expressing her love for him. As the mom read the card towards the end, Lawver took off his glasses and said he knew what it was.

Once he unwrapped the gift, he became emotional and stood up to embrace his daughter. The prized possession was a Dan Marino rookie card, which Lawver initially sold for $50 over 30 years ago to help pay the bills. Marino is a former NFL star quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins.

Moore's gesture to her father touched Social media users, and many commented on her TikTok post expressing their thoughts about the Christmas present.

"What an impression he made for his kids and a real life lesson. Love this so much," wrote one person. "He knew what it was!!! That was definitely one of his 'prized possessions'!!! Great story," said another.

Someone mentioned that once the dad started getting emotional, the moment moved her, "When he started crying, I LOST IT." One other commented, "A father's love, and the way it circled back for him through his daughter," alongside heart eyes and face holding tears emoji.

"I am sobbing over a man I've never met...what a great Christmas gift!!" one TikTok user admitted. Meanwhile, another individual shared their husband did something similar several years ago.

"My husband sold his Derek Jeter RC 5 years ago when we needed a new car. I'm saving everything I can to do the exact thing for him one day," the commenter revealed.

After the clip went viral, the father and daughter duo were interviewed on "NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt" in December 2023. Lawver revealed that he is a Navy veteran who struggled a lot in 1990 raising a family with his wife. It was a tough time for the family then.

Once he realized what the gift was from his daughter, it brought back many memories from that time, which made him feel overwhelmed. Lawver got emotional, saying his daughter was "great." She also admitted that she realized the significance of his sacrifice.

Read more about a widowed mother who received her son's Christmas presents and ends up in tears after hearing a familiar voice.