“This Is How a Girl Is Raised”: Loving Father Surprises Daughter With Gifts at School, SA Moved
- A father left social media users in awe after surprising his daughter with a grand gesture for her 14th birthday at her school
- The heartwarming video was shared on his TikTok account, where it quickly went viral, touching many viewers
- Social media users were moved by his public display of affection, with many praising him for being the 'father of the year' and celebrating the special bond between them
- Briefly, News spoke with Paula Smit, a certified Relationship Therapy educator and facilitator, to gain her professional insights on the importance of a father-daughter relationship
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Source: TikTok
A father’s grand gesture for his daughter's 14th birthday captured the hearts of many social media users.
The beautiful clip, shared by TikTok user @sam966658, was met with an outpouring of emotion and love.
The video starts with the father getting out of his car, holding an inflated number 14 balloon, flowers, and a gift box in the shape of a heart. His daughter, who is standing in front of the car, wearing her full school uniform, starts crying as her learners scream and clap in excitement.
Dad surprises his daughter at her school
She gets closer to her dad and buries her face in his chest, crying tears of happiness, completely overwhelmed by his grand gesture. The father, who is now aware that he has accomplished his mission, hugs his daughter and whispers something to her. The special bond between a father and his daughter is visible as they embrace, celebrating her birthday milestone.
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Source: TikTok
Exploring the power of parent-child relationships
The Briefly News team spoke with Paula Smit, a certified Relationship Therapy educator and facilitator, NLP practitioner, PDA analyst, coach, and trainer, to gain her professional insights on the heartwarming story of the father and daughter.
We asked the professional what the psychological and emotional benefits are for children with a supportive and loving father. She responded:
"Children who grow up with a present, loving father experience greater emotional security than those who don’t. This stability often translates into having less anxiety, the ability to navigate stress, and stronger resilience when life throws challenges their way. Practically, a father who listens when a child is upset models how to handle big emotions without fear or shame, so they don’t end up suppressing their emotions; rather, they learn to process them.
A father who is loving and encouraging teaches children determination, perseverance and problem-solving skills. Over time, this builds healthier bonds, relationships, stronger coping skills, and a more balanced sense of identity.
The team asked what the impact of love and care is on self-esteem and confidence, especially in academics. The expert shared:
"When fathers express regular encouragement and pride in effort, not just outcomes, children develop a stronger sense of capability in their efforts and the results they achieve. A father who takes an active interest in his children’s academics by being hands-on with homework, is patient, and celebrates small improvements, teaches a child that learning is about growth, making progress and not perfection. This results in greater confidence, which encourages children to attempt difficult tasks, and higher academic motivation, and reduces their fear of failure."
When asked how a positive father-daughter relationship impacts future expectations of relationships. Paula responded:
"For young girls, the way a father treats them sets an unconscious template for what feels normal or acceptable in future relationships. A father who consistently shows respect, listens to her opinions, supports her dreams, encourages healthy boundaries, teaches her that trust and respect are perfectly normal and are non-negotiables. As she grows, she is more likely to expect these qualities in romantic partners and friendships, and less likely to settle for relationships lacking mutual respect and trust.
This reduces the likelihood of her getting into unhealthy relationships in her adult life or accommodating disrespectful or controlling behaviours. The absence of respect or affection can normalise unhealthy patterns and lead to abusive or toxic relationships. Loving, nurturing fathers anchor their children emotionally, boosting resilience and identity. They encourage presence, increase confidence and encourage academic performance. Respectful, caring father-daughter bonds shape healthy relationship expectations for life."
SA reacts to the cute surprise
The comments section was filled with positive reactions from social media users who were deeply touched by the beautiful surprise. Many praised the dad for loving his daughter loudly, saying all girls deserve to be treated as princesses.
Some called him the father of the year, saying others could learn a thing or two from him. Other men thanked the father for representing them well, saying it was refreshing to see viewers commenting positively about them.
User @lebo PAC shared:
"Let them be treated like princesses, they are, so they won't look for the treatment elsewhere 💞."
User @Durban MUNCIST added:
"This is how a girl child is raised. Siyabonga bafo siyathukwa kulezinkundla (thank you, brother, they speak ill of us on these platforms)."
User @user7581141846168 commented:
"My husband would never do that for my daughters, not even once. He even told them that birthdays are not important. So girl, you are lucky 😍."
User @noxy1622 shared:
"Father of the year."
User @nenelity@gmail said:
"The kind of fathers we need."
User @The beast mahlangu
"Kids who respect their Parents always deserve such happiness, yes 🙏 tears of joy 🥰."
Watch the TikTok video below:
3 Briefly News videos about present fathers
- A Checkers cashier shared a moving video of a young dad, still in his work uniform, buying his three-year-old son Gift a cake with his name written on it, melting online hearts.
- A loving father was seen using himself as a cushion to make his toddler comfortable at the salon while plaiting her hair.
- A young father was filmed comfortably carrying his baby in a robe, on his back, while chatting with friends outdoors, earning praises online.
Source: Briefly News
Bongiwe Mati (Human Interest Editor) Bongiwe Mati is a Human Interest reporter who joined Briefly News in August 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of the Western Cape. Her journalism journey began in 2005 at the university newspaper. She later transitioned to marketing and sales at Leadership Magazine under Cape Media (2007-2009). In 2023, she joined BONA magazine as an Editorial Assistant, contributing to digital and print platforms across current news, entertainment, and human interest categories. Bongiwe can be reached at bongiwe.mati@briefly.co.za
Paula Quinsee (Certified Relationship Therapy Educator and founder of Engaged Humans) Paula Quinsee is the founder of Engaged Humans, facilitating connection between individuals and organisations to create a more human-connected world. She is a certified Imago Relationship Therapy educator and facilitator, NLP practitioner, PDA analyst, coach and trainer. Paula is also the author of two self-help guides - Embracing Conflict and Embracing No - as well as an international speaker, advocate for mental health and activist for gender-based violence.
