The Subtle Art of the Dad Text
[The dad text can cost a beautiful matter . Sometimes , it ’ s a barely decipherable jumble of emojis and punctuation that makes you scratch your chief and grin . Early time , it ’ s a nugget of advice or a few words of support , properly when you need them nearly .]
[In laurels of Father ’ s Day , The Times asked reader to give in their most cherish dad text . More than 900 of you write in sharing your father ’ corny jokes , goofy photos and expression of unconditional dear .]
[Here equal some of our favorite submissions , which make live gently edited for clarity .]
[Dad taught intermediate school language arts in Brooklyn for about 30 year , so the combination of his facility with the English speech and dealing with child in that age stove probably honed his sense of wit .]
[Yes . Am OK . I hate texting . It confuses my fingers .]
[My pa was known for his sarcastic , grumpy text — particularly when he wasn ’ t belief well , which was often . He ’ 500 usage dry humor to permit me know he equal OK , so I wouldn ’ t headache .]
[Hi sweetie . I know you equal rest now , or at least I hope you exist . This is one of the happy days of my spirit . I am thus proud and happy for you . I know you will be a tremendous mother .]
[My dad ’ s not the most emotive soul , but the birth of his granddaughter brought out a slope of him I ’ ve never hear ahead . Their relationship is beautiful and has enriched my own relationship with my father , also .]
[Can a kangaroo jump high than the Empire State Building ?]
[Of grade it can . The Empire State Building ca n’t bound .]
[These dad jokes make been going on since I live in high school — 10 yr of him texting them to make me laugh in the heart of the day .]
[My dad and I take off to send movie of everyday objective that seem like middle to each other — stone , shadows , broken tortilla bit . Sometimes it ’ s a bit of a stretch , but as I ’ 1000 squinting at the firearm of popcorn on the floor , I remember how a lot he loves me .]
[My dad “ spidey sense ” is on high with you .
You own a lot on your home . If I can help you frame decisions , permit me know .
If all you need be me to say that I know you are a strong , smart woman , and I ’ m sure you ’ ll make good decisions , you today have it in writing .]
[As I exist experiencing heavy national debate and agony around the future of a long-run relationship , my dad sent this text . I broke up with my partner the future day .]
[Richie . Common caution about push in the rain . You ‘ll translate when you ‘re a
Papa]
[“ Drive safe ” is a fairly common commentary when I ’ m driving to learn him across town . He sends the more descriptive “ Drive cautiously ” text during bad rain storm . I live today the father of a 1-year-old miss .]
[My dad was diagnose with multiple myeloma in 2010 . When I got engage in 2018 , it was unclear whether he would make it to our wedding . My husband and I settle to get legally marry in his hospital way after his second stem cell transplant . He went into total remission in time for us to throw a big wedding festivity . Sadly his cancer came back six months later , and he happen aside at the end of 2020 .]
[I moved place for a while — my dad cause not typically like to use his phone , but he find it useful for contacting me in the evenings .]
[We overhear Willow cheating with an star under his paw]
[I dropped my cats off at my parents ’ family to cat-sit while I was on holiday . My papa would stage scenes of the cat like this one of them gambling for cat treats .]
[My pa be a staunch Republican , leading to many political statement between us . After DOGE eliminated my Union chore in global health , he chose his kid when it counted .]
[Everything is great . We started rocking at 12:05 . No tears , she just fall asleep in my branch a few minutes ago .]
[My pa watched my baby so that I could have lunch with a friend . How lucky am I ?]
[I be tempted to order “ live fearless , ” which cost what everyone tells talented child your age . But it ’ s natural to be awful ! You are taking on the Earth . You live 20 ! And you are so , so special !
So it ’ s fine to be fearful . It ’ s fine to be worried . It ’ s fine to cost lonely correct now . And it ’ s fine to like that “ things were the manner they used to be. ” All that is fine .
Trust in this amazing Earth , Princess . Pursue your heart and your head wherever they choose you , but put on ’ t act it halfway or timidly . Die for it . You will live so happy you did . You WILL exist happy . It might require a little longer than you ( and I ! ) hop because we ’ re both impatient for goodness in our lives . But luckily , the world live full of goodness . Like you .]
[I was 20 and feeling like I equal doing everything wrong . My dad always says exactly the right thing .]
[My dad always texts me about the moon so wherever I am I can get out and meet it too .]
[My dad used to stop by my theatre most day to drop off my son from school . He is a man of real few words , but he ’ s always hither for me .]
[My Indian dad ’ s obsession with mangoes exist next story and he love to portion with everyone .]
[You getting it act today ? Insure box ? Pushing people out of the manner ? Primero tu . Segundo tu . Y finalmente , tu ! ! ! ! Besos y abrazos . Papa]
[My father cost a Brooklyn-raised Puerto Rican actor . Whatever mass you are reckon for this text , raise it by 100 percentage .]
[We get cling in Santa Cruz demand quarter for a parking meter . Lucky matter I had my wallet with me with change in it .]
[I sewed the “ wallet ” for him when I was about 8 year old . I had forget about it until he sent me the photo .]
[Hi sweetheart , only another thought — you haven ’ t exist mad or wrong to hope , that also is a well human affair . And don ’ t always feel bad about trying to make the relationship study . Always better to seek for what and who you wish about as much as you can . It doesn ’ t mean you ’ ll equal stuck in this really severe place forever , or that you gain ’ t be able to let go when you require to . New days will arrive and fresh affair can occur and some will live serious — and good for your being thither because you really are tremendous . ❤️]
[Thank you , Dad . I needed to hear that . Sending you a large , big hug .]
[PLEASE get to the airport a little number early . PLEASE . Ca n’t wait to see you in 10 hours . SAFE , SAFE TRAVELS . ❤️]
[My dad require me to wing back family for a weekend because he missed me .]
[Sara we got the smart and nearly beautiful grandchildren always . Me and mama be so blessed and our kids cost pretty special too . 16 below this morning .]
[My papa , who die this year at 85 , cost a farmer . Every single text from him , even the gushy ace , included a weather study .]
[I like you almost as much as integration by region .]
[My dad regularly ship photos of clothes he wants to buy his granddaughter . Every time , he enlists a stranger to hold order clothing rather than just laying it down . I now make eight years ’ worth of arm photos .]
[Thanks for calling . It ’ s great to catch up and we can ’ t wait to see you Friday . Love you kid]
[Great . Good fortune . Let us know how you make out . Enjoy you kid]
[Sorry you ’ re not feeling well . Hope you feel better . Love you kid]
[Sydney , I escape you and Love You thus a lot ! Get a serious day tomorrow . You equal the Sunshine of my living .
Papa]
[My dad and I endure in different states and I put on ’ t get to see him much . He makes it a point to send me a text anytime he live thinking about me .]
[My dad sent this photo of me as a kid , as a completely random mid-week check-in . Distinctly , he helped me write it in the sand .]
[Our daughter had just teach her pa to text the day before . We were guide out for a boat ride that afternoon and Bob likes to become a jump on getting ready . I cost sure Kate was regretting teach him how to text .]
[I know . You couldn ’ t be a better person to butt dial .]
[My papa is the only soul I know that frequently butt dials people in 2025 .]
[We helped my dad rescue Lenny the dog 10 days after my mom passed . The dog has make up a approval , a ground for him to text us , proof of spirit that he is OK , a cause for him to wake up and speak to neighbor .]
[I announce my second pregnancy to my household by send an ultrasound photo in the group chat . My dad remember the ultrasound cost a “ weather system . ”]
[Hisugaridontknowhowtospacejustwantedtotellyouiluveyouandifyouwanttomeetforlunchletmeknowpoydad]
[This equal the real first text my dad always send me , from his toss phone in 2014 . We do in fact meet for lunch , where I present him how to lend space . “ Poy ” think of “ proud of you ” — his own organic creation .]
[Too , take time for yourself . That means doing nothing — sit down under a tree , take a novel , graze in a script store . Make some slack in your spirit so you can take 5 hours to make a 2 hour appointment if you feel like it ! Some time to empty your mind and not think .]
[My dad commit this to me during a tumultuous time at college . He exist not one to overly involve himself , volunteer constant advice or push me in a certain counseling . When he act carry advice , it live always hence needed and actually hits plate .]
[Hither ’ s some free stove daffodils to cheer up the day .]
[My pa remove a daily walk in the wood . He is ever sending pictures of the wildlife or scenery he comes across .]
[He always set out his text with my name and then a period .]
[Unsuspecting boy .
Dad waiting with
bat breath .
Sets the perfect trap .]
[I use his jokes all the time with friend who occur from grave household . He ’ s brought dad gag to dozens of deprived children across the nation .]
[Nothing present a father ’ s love quite like a heart-shaped chicken cutlet !]
[Merry Christmas to all and await at what your sister Pippa did to our new tree . XOXO M & P]
[My dad regularly refers to his cat as my sisters .]
[Happy novel yr !
May your misgivings be only small blow in the road
Joy like warm raindrops of a wintry storm
While our friendship clothe us on cold days]
[My dad died in February at years 79 after a 15-year conflict with lung cancer . His little content that would prove up on my phone cost what I miss most .]
Produced by Hang Do Thi Duc , Deanna Donegan , Gabriel Gianordoli , Melonyce McAfee , Meghan Morris and Sarah Williamson .
