Letters from one dad have now touched thousands, thanks to his daughter’s idea
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Sometimes, the most unexpected gestures can spark something far bigger than anyone could have imagined.
What begins as a small idea can quietly transform into a movement that reaches people across the world.
In moments when connection feels harder to find, a handwritten note can remind someone they’re not alone. And from one family’s act of kindness, an entire community has found comfort in words on paper.
It all started when Rosie Paulik made a simple post on TikTok earlier this year, asking if anyone would like a letter from her dad, Buz Ecker.
She said he had just received a doctorate but was feeling “aimless” and unsure of his next step, even though he had always loved writing letters.
What began as a way to lift his spirits quickly grew into something much bigger than either of them expected.
That post gave life to The Dad Letter Project, a growing initiative now spreading encouragement to people far beyond their circle.
The project’s website describes it as “mail that will make you smile (or cry, in a good way),” capturing the heart of why so many have embraced it.
“Sometimes, you just need a dad to remind you that you’re doing great, to offer unsolicited life advice, or to tell you a joke so bad you have no choice but to laugh. It’s like a hug, but on paper,” the site says.
Also read: Connection is timeless and GotPrint’s affordable business cards can help you leave a lasting impression
Ecker himself knows the power of letters, having written thousands to his daughter over the years, from summer camp to college and beyond. That habit became the foundation for a project now reaching strangers in need of a father figure.
Ecker told The Washington Post, “It’s very gratifying to be people’s fathers who don’t have one. And it’s very gratifying to write a letter to people who have never gotten a letter from a father.”
Along with three other “Dad Staff Writers,” he now writes to people from all walks of life, including those who lost their dads, never had one, or simply long for paternal encouragement.
Each letter is handwritten, offering advice, comfort, or humor depending on what the recipient might need most.
In an age where digital messages dominate, these physical letters carry a different kind of weight. The response has been overwhelming, with requests pouring in from around the world since July.
“People wanted to hear from a dad. They wanted to hear from a father figure,” Paulik told ABC News.
Also read: Love after 50: Why the best chapters for dating are ahead
She added that the authenticity of the letters is what makes them so meaningful, explaining, “They are coming up with words to say for you, they’re putting the address on the envelope, putting a stamp on it and sending it out. It’s so authentic and special.”
The project, originally planned as a summer effort, is now continuing indefinitely because of the demand.
Read next: After decades of dreaming, two friends in their 80s take the trip of a lifetime
A handwritten letter may seem simple, but it clearly fills a gap for so many people longing for reassurance and connection. Would you want to receive a letter like this, or maybe even write one yourself for someone else who needs it? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what role a message like this could play in your own life.
What begins as a small idea can quietly transform into a movement that reaches people across the world.
In moments when connection feels harder to find, a handwritten note can remind someone they’re not alone. And from one family’s act of kindness, an entire community has found comfort in words on paper.
It all started when Rosie Paulik made a simple post on TikTok earlier this year, asking if anyone would like a letter from her dad, Buz Ecker.
She said he had just received a doctorate but was feeling “aimless” and unsure of his next step, even though he had always loved writing letters.
What began as a way to lift his spirits quickly grew into something much bigger than either of them expected.
Letters from one dad have now touched thousands, thanks to his daughter’s idea. Image source: Nedim T. / Unsplash
That post gave life to The Dad Letter Project, a growing initiative now spreading encouragement to people far beyond their circle.
The project’s website describes it as “mail that will make you smile (or cry, in a good way),” capturing the heart of why so many have embraced it.
“Sometimes, you just need a dad to remind you that you’re doing great, to offer unsolicited life advice, or to tell you a joke so bad you have no choice but to laugh. It’s like a hug, but on paper,” the site says.
Also read: Connection is timeless and GotPrint’s affordable business cards can help you leave a lasting impression
Ecker himself knows the power of letters, having written thousands to his daughter over the years, from summer camp to college and beyond. That habit became the foundation for a project now reaching strangers in need of a father figure.
Ecker told The Washington Post, “It’s very gratifying to be people’s fathers who don’t have one. And it’s very gratifying to write a letter to people who have never gotten a letter from a father.”
Along with three other “Dad Staff Writers,” he now writes to people from all walks of life, including those who lost their dads, never had one, or simply long for paternal encouragement.
Each letter is handwritten, offering advice, comfort, or humor depending on what the recipient might need most.
In an age where digital messages dominate, these physical letters carry a different kind of weight. The response has been overwhelming, with requests pouring in from around the world since July.
“People wanted to hear from a dad. They wanted to hear from a father figure,” Paulik told ABC News.
Also read: Love after 50: Why the best chapters for dating are ahead
She added that the authenticity of the letters is what makes them so meaningful, explaining, “They are coming up with words to say for you, they’re putting the address on the envelope, putting a stamp on it and sending it out. It’s so authentic and special.”
The project, originally planned as a summer effort, is now continuing indefinitely because of the demand.
Read next: After decades of dreaming, two friends in their 80s take the trip of a lifetime
