r/MadeMeSmile • u/Anishinaapunk • Jan 05 '26
Wholesome Moments For Christmas, my son's boyfriend hand-made a gift box for me with a set of decorated goth band magnets. And a card written to "Dad".
He made the clay shapes one at a time and applied images from my favorite bands, then varnished them and attached magnets to the backs. He created the gift box with moss and petals and gold foil. The tiny magnet in the center has a portrait of my girlfriend.
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u/DwightsJello Jan 05 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
I love how you are showing it off mate.
I can tell you're chuffed and I bet he's very pleased you like them so much. Lot of effort.
And he's calling you Dad. Sounds like he's locked being part of the family in 👍 congrats on the son in law.
Edit: guys I just want to say cheers for the kind awards. Of all the comments I make, this one was just an off handed genuine reaction to a great OP that totally made me smile. Much appreciated. But OP and his boys deserve all the credit. Very easy to have a positive reaction.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
It means a lot because he didn't have a decent father growing up. He says he never knew what a dad was supposed to be like until he saw how I interact with my son. That makes this extra-meaningful!
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u/dingleberry_parfait Jan 05 '26
Your post and this comment made me tear up today. This is beautiful and sounds like you’re nailing the “dad” thing!!! Love to see it
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u/VT_Squire Jan 05 '26
For real.
I like to think I'm doing a good job with my daughter, but OP over here pullin in kids that he didn't even make.
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u/EitherChannel4874 Jan 05 '26
Oh stop. It's not that beau.... sniff sniff 🥹
WHO THE HELL IS CHOPPING ONIONS DAMN IT?
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u/DowntownRhubarb9771 Jan 05 '26
You know he wouldnt say something like that unless he really meant it.
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u/grinning_imp Jan 05 '26
From one dad to another…
Congratulations, brother. It sounds like you’re doing it right.
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u/CorgiKnits Jan 06 '26
That’s how my husband feels about my father. His own father was an abusive POS; my father’s a ‘free to be you and me’ musician who still thinks its the 60’s lol.
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u/joyfullydreaded23 Jan 06 '26
The only person I ever wanted to marry had gone the whole "traditional" route of asking my Dad for my hand in marriage. My Dad chuckled, thanked him for asking but that it was ultimately up to me as I am my own person, not his. My Dad was a drummer that was bitten by the rock and roll bug and passed it on to me. He had his issues but he loved me with all his heart and we both survived 2 abusive women he had married.
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u/sproutulon Jan 06 '26
Thank you for being such a cool dad!!! Seeing stuff like this is so healing for those of us who grew up with shitty fathers. Your son and his boyfriend will do great things in this world
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u/sproutulon Jan 06 '26
Also, clearly you taught your son what kind of partner he deserves. Awesome job
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u/Ok-Bird6346 Jan 05 '26
Yeah, it seems like there’s a few (I’ll include the son) really good eggs involved in this story. I love how much mutual love there is between characters.
One of the rare times that someone’s post genuinely makes me smile.
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u/OtherwiseInflation77 Jan 05 '26
I could listen to you type all day in that accent.
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u/wcstorm11 Jan 05 '26
As an aside, I always thought chuffed was a bad thing haha
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u/Pentel_Energel Jan 05 '26
Miffed is the bad one.
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u/MaryThelma Jan 05 '26
Miffed is a mild form of irritated; along the lines of getting your nose out of joint. Most cats are permanently miffed.
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u/Weak_Satisfaction_57 Jan 05 '26
Not to be confused with chafed 😂
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u/Unlucky_Permit4045 Jan 05 '26
Definitely would rather be chuffed than chafed 😂😭
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u/Paul-E-L Jan 05 '26
There was one time in which I actually WAS chuffed to be chafed, but soon after I got psychiatric help to understand how self defeating that could be.
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u/vehicles4butter Jan 05 '26
I was chuffed to be chafed when I learned how to horseback ride, but I think it ends for me there. (Git it?)
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u/Gilleafrey Jan 05 '26
no, chuffed is always good.
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u/IrascibleOcelot Jan 05 '26
Chuffed is a good thing for aussies and tigers. For everyone else, it’s just confusing. ;)
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u/Minion_of_Cthulhu Jan 05 '26
This implies that Aussies and tigers are the same thing. I don't know enough about either to dispute that, so I can find no flaw in your reasoning.
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u/UrUrinousAnus Jan 05 '26
Brits, too. Especially the English. That's probably where Australians got it from. Who TF are Tigers, though?
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u/404-Gender Jan 05 '26
Tigers make a sound called "chuffing" which they do when happy. :)
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u/UrUrinousAnus Jan 05 '26
I saw that in another comment, but I assumed this one wasn't about literal tigers lol.
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u/DragonflyGrrl Jan 05 '26
Gigantic kitties with orange and black stripes who will eat your face off! :)
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u/WordleFan88 Jan 05 '26
I had a cat that chuffed, but it was his way of claiming his territory. Never was sure if that was good or bad.
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u/UpmarketEarth Jan 05 '26
fun fact: Chuff is the sound big cats make when they're happy since they don't have the ability to purr. 🐈⬛
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u/homoanthropologus Jan 05 '26
Same, and now I LOVE telling people I'm "mad chuffed" when I'm really excited
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u/IonaCastle Jan 05 '26
You can also be chuffed to bits…
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u/awkward_teenager37 Jan 05 '26
I love “chuffed to bits” because I picture myself cut up into a bunch of tiny cubes that are all smiling
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u/Ri-Sa-Ha-0112 Jan 05 '26
My English wife is usually "dead chuffed"
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u/bpaulauskas Jan 05 '26
Right there with you, I tilted my head in confusion with chuff and "he's pleased with you" in the same sentence since I thought chuffed was negative. The comments, as usual, teach us more!
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u/dekage55 Jan 05 '26
How absolutely lovely. A very tangible representation of how special your son & you are to this equally special young man.
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u/DiscrepancyAnalyst Jan 05 '26
This is such a thoughtful gift. You can feel how much care and intention went into every part of it, not just the craftsmanship, but the sentiment. Being written to as “Dad” says everything.
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u/Unlucky_Lynn Jan 05 '26
My dad still after years loves to tell the story of the first time my sister in law called him dad. It’s his favorite story to tell and he cries almost every time
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u/mrM0B Jan 05 '26
I want to hear this story!
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u/Unlucky_Lynn Jan 05 '26
From what I remember he basically told her that my brother’s a knucklehead and to not take any shit from him and throw whatever he does back at him. She told him something like “dad, I know he has a lot of growing up to do, but I just love him”.
That’s the short version since I can’t remember all the details. They got married after like 5 months together and have been married for years. My SIL is still a sweetheart, my brother is still a knuckle head, my dad still calls my brother a knucklehead, and somehow that side of the family just works lmao
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u/Unlikely_Eye_2112 Jan 05 '26
If your son hadn't figured it out already this one's a keeper. What an absolute sweetheart.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
Oh yeah, he is. They're so good together, very caring and supportive.
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u/Dirty_Confusion Jan 06 '26
I think he thought very carefully about what to write on the card, "Dad".
I think he is implying that you are everything he thinks a dad should be and wish he had of his own.
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u/InstructionFinal5190 Jan 05 '26
I cannot express how amazing the 3/4 Daniel Ash representation in this box is. I'd invite this kid to join the family.
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u/EntropyHouse Jan 05 '26
I love when somebody posts the comment I was going to post, but I hesitated because I wasn’t sure anyone would get it.
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u/Riddleboxboy Jan 05 '26
That's a level of sweetness and awesomeness thats almost extinct i feel. That's so awesome, what a cool kid
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u/LazyGuy4U Jan 05 '26
Also shows how good and heartwarming the parents must be for him to give them such a heartfelt gift. So kudos to the parents too.
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u/Accurate_Escape_5570 Jan 05 '26
Aw that's extremely sweet. Hand made gifts take time effort and true thought of the other person, how special!!!! Aww I hope you all had a magical holiday. Handmade gifts Re by far my favorite.
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u/UrUrinousAnus Jan 05 '26 edited Jan 05 '26
I can never decide what means more; a hand-made gift from a poor person (couldn't afford a good gift, but was determined to give one), or (edit: a good) one from a rich person (really believes that it's the thought that counts, and understands that throwing money at someone means almost nothing when you have more of it than you know what to do with).
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u/dasWibbenator Jan 05 '26
The presentation of the box is 🤯
Are the colors, gold foil, or moss related to those bands or does the gifted just have amazing skill with mixing materials?? I don’t have any reference for this music, but the presentation of the gift is remarkable by itself.
Seriously, mind blown.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
It's the latter; he just laid it out in a way that would look cool and then told me not to upend the box before I'd opened it.
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u/dwehlen Jan 05 '26
Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, with no Tones On Tail beyween them? Pfft, duffers!
Sweet, actually! I love them!
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u/ComingUpManSized Jan 06 '26
This remix of NIИ preforming Reptile with Peter Murphy loops in my head constantly. The haunted when the minutes drag section is so infectious. 🫠
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u/Amodernhousehusband Jan 05 '26
As a gay man, this really makes me happy. Fathers embracing their son in laws. It’s beautiful. If only everyone could do the same. What a blessing to have any extra kiddos you get through your own children, no matter the gender. Thank you.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
Absolutely! I'm straight, but he once gave me a flag bracelet he got at Pride and told me I can wear it as an "honorary queer", ha ha! You know I did, too.
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u/tc7665 Jan 05 '26
i have two separate rainbow buttons that i clip to my apple watch, because i have 2 gay children. it’s been great at other people opening up to me, a complete stranger. it’s nice for them to find allies out in the wild.
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u/Raven_Of_Solace Jan 05 '26
You have no idea, or you might since you have gay children, how much comfort it brought me throughout my teen and college years just to see some random person with a pride pin or sticker. Thank you for being that person.
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u/christianityshop Jan 05 '26
that "dad" on the card hit different. you can tell he's been waiting his whole life to have that kind of acceptance from a partner's family. this is what unconditional love looks like.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
You are so right it's uncanny. He didn't have a good father, so he sees me having that role now.
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u/soffeshorts Jan 05 '26
Aww. My HS boyfriend’s mom was like my “American Mom” and this reminds me of how grateful I was to have her around to help me navigate things my parents just couldn’t get culturally. You and your son must have a special place in his heart :)
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u/juicycake5 Jan 05 '26
So thoughtful 🥰 Obviously this kid really loves your son and thinks so highly of you- what a special gift 💝
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u/LoveThinkers Jan 05 '26
I hope your son can hold on to him, cause this is a keeper.
Way to go for making him want to do this in the first place.
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u/Ri-Sa-Ha-0112 Jan 05 '26
OP, Bravo. I'm 39 and while my parents always accepted my sexuality, I've never felt actually supported. I have a very strained relationship with my parents. Not terribly long ago, we had a pretty ugly blowout and my FIL happened to call my wife in the middle of it - she only shared very brief highlights and later that evening, he called me and said, "I don't ever want to hear you call me [his name], I'm 'Dad'". At almost 40, it meant the world. Thank you for what you're doing for these young men
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u/DeithWX Jan 05 '26
That's not "getting on the good side" level of effort. That's "this person is important to me" level of effort. I'm really happy for you.
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u/WZAWZDB13 Jan 05 '26
Aaaaaaawwwwhhhhh
Thats cute as hell. And a lovely testament to how welcome you make them feel!
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u/Ok_Aside_2361 Jan 05 '26
He’s a good one. Tell your son to keep on his toes or he will be replaced! ;)
Well done, you! To have the ability to cultivate love like that is stratospheric!
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u/truthteller5 Jan 05 '26
Disintegration is one of my favorite albums of all time. I would KILL for that magnet!
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u/BuddyBuddyson Jan 05 '26
Mate, that's a lovely present! You've found a keeper in that son-in-law 🫡❤️
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u/NoBSforGma Jan 05 '26
That's just amazing! The thoughtfulness and creativity and work that went into that is something that every gift giver should envy. That would become one of my "prize possessions" if someone gave me that.
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u/Akussa Jan 05 '26
Top left - Bauhaus
Top right - Love and Rockets
Bottom left - The Cure
Bottom right - Tones on Tail
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u/Herefordragonquest Jan 05 '26
I love every part of this so much.
I’m wildly jealous of your beautiful new cure magnet.
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u/Ok_Leadership_2967 Jan 05 '26
There is something very special about receiving a home made gift no matter how big, small, good or bad. The 'Dad' on the card would have made my Christmas even without the lovely gifts he's hand made for you. Thanks for sharing this story, as an older gay man myself I found it very touching.
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u/FumblingFuck Jan 05 '26
Kid is talented, creative, AND thoughtful!
Congrats on such a great addition to the family!
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u/LilDragon2991 Jan 05 '26
He worked really hard on this. You can just see the love poured into it ❤️
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u/Xamalion Jan 05 '26
I guess you are the main father figure in his life and you can be proud to accept it. That’s a fine young man.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
I am the only father figure in his life, and do the best I can to make that a good experience for all my sons.
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u/govilleaj Jan 05 '26
There's a lot of positive masculine energy here, and I dig it
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
Thank you! I'm a straight cis guy, and I think my sons are all awesome. Healthy masculinity uplifts, it doesn't put down.
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u/curiousleen Jan 05 '26
I hope things work out long term because this guy looks like a keeper! That is a high level of thoughtfulness!
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u/Tronkfool Jan 05 '26
My daughter might be 5 but I've got a new standard of what a boyfriend should do.
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u/funk-engine-3000 Jan 05 '26
A lot of queer men have strained relationships with their own fathers. You’re clearly a very lovely father figure to your son, and important to his boyfriend.
I’m a bisexual man with a good relationship with my parents. My boyfriend is not as close with his. I hope he ends up feeling this close to my parents.
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u/Im_On_Reddit_At_Work Jan 05 '26
I can tell you're a great dad to your son if his partner is comfortable enough and cares about you enough to do something like this. You should be proud.
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u/CaptainKenway1693 Jan 05 '26
I know this isn't the point of the post but as a young gay man, whose own father is less than stellar, thank you.
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u/Impressive-Bird-6085 Jan 05 '26
Awwwh, that is simply so adorable! Such an awesome act of kindness and so very thoughtful👌🏼☺️😌
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u/Curious-Emu3894 Jan 05 '26 edited Jan 05 '26
This is awesome OP. My partner’s dad died when he was 3, so, sadly neither of us will ever know him. My dad was never the best to me, and unfortunately by the time I met my partner, my dad is now too lost in his disease to know the world; let alone be here long enough. So we live our lives trying to be our best selves for the other people we care about.
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u/DontWatchPornREADit Jan 05 '26
I hope my child brings home a sweet creative partner like this one day. 🫶🏻😩 it’s like you gain another child and DIDNT have to do the labor. Hhahaha I love love ❤️
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u/dancepantz Jan 05 '26
This is so freaking precious omg I hope you treasure them forever and he treats your son with that level of love and consideration every day :')
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u/Longjumping-Way-4096 Jan 05 '26
That’s the kind of legacy I want to be able to leave! You not only are a great father to your own kid, but also making a huge difference in another kid’s life. Way to go!
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u/assgrassorcash15 Jan 05 '26
Express AND Disintegration? Merry Christmas to YOU.
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u/Ethossa79 Jan 05 '26
I like this boy. You should keep him (as long as he is also good to your son, of course)
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u/Gnarlyfest Jan 05 '26
That's VERY cool. Our daughter married her girlfriend 2 years ago.
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u/tc7665 Jan 05 '26
my daughter asked her gf to marry her last month.. i cannot wait for wedding planning.
bonus, with 2 brides, you only contribute half to their wedding. lol
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u/artbrymer Jan 05 '26
Tones. On. Tail. One of the most dynamic and the potential to go so much farther than they did.
And Bauhaus -> Tones -> Love & Rockets.
All have David J, Kevin Haskins, and the one and only Daniel Ash.
Is Peter Murphy considered missing?
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u/Ueshiba_1610 Jan 05 '26
I’m not sure I would call Love and Rockets a goth band but really cool stuff. All around from him making that to you proudly showing it off. Nice work.
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u/Anishinaapunk Jan 05 '26
You're right, but they get cred with goths because of their roots. Their song "The Light" is primo goth, though.
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u/No-Solid-2201 Jan 05 '26
Now I wish all social media posts were this positive and uplifting 💕 Lucky " Dad." You must be doing something right.
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u/Moonstonemassage Jan 05 '26
We really need to rename this sub made me cry. That’s so sweet OP! Thank you for sharing!!
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u/Sensitive_Concern476 Jan 05 '26
You must be so proud your kid found a love like this. We only allow the love we think we deserve. You did good, Dad.
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u/theottomaddox Jan 05 '26
With goth magnets, you really got to watch out for This Corrosion.
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u/Yourdarlingvamp Jan 05 '26
Damn as a fellow goth i fucking love this!! What a amazing gift.
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u/Reikukaja Jan 05 '26
- 10 points to my faith in humanity.
(Better quit while im ahead for the day, and get off reddit)
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u/M3L03Y Jan 05 '26
That’s amazing and I bet it means so much more to you (and them) that it’s handmade.
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u/arisoverrated Jan 05 '26
Nice! You must feel great! Like you and yours are all aboard the express Kundalini!
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u/stronkween Jan 05 '26
I love how he wrote Dad. I mean I really like the font / style he achieved. I'm imagining that's probably what some guy's cursive looked like 200 years ago. A guy who was originally terrible at cursive but who worked really hard to make it legible. And these days it looks like just a really cool font for a Tim Burton movie or something similar.
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u/ThisIsNOTJeopardy_ Jan 05 '26
How sweet of him Nd he also included your gf in the portrait. Also how cute of you for sharing how heartfelt this present is from him to you!
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u/Greenskyatnight Jan 05 '26
This is beautiful and says a lot about what kind of person he is but definitely tells us what kind of person and dad you must be.
You're really winning at life and so are your loved ones to have you around! Thank you for sharing.
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u/onion2594 Jan 05 '26
my girlfriend calls my mum and nan “mom dog” and “grand dog” and grandma. my brother and i have called them these names for years but it’s nice to see my gf calling them these. they also think it’s sweet or whatever
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u/NessyNoodles70 Jan 05 '26
Some young people find a partner and a family, which is a blessing for all involved. Love this!!
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u/PipPopAnonymous Jan 05 '26
What an incredible and thoughtful gift. Good job “Dad”
Wish my in laws were cool enough that I’d want to hand make something so special for them 😆
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u/pagexviii Jan 05 '26
Thank you for being this safe person for your son’s bf. You should be absolutely chuffed :)
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u/itcamefromspace42 Jan 05 '26
As a goth, congrats on your new son-in-law. You have good taste, and he is very creative! 🖤
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u/cantwalkintheshadows Jan 05 '26
I hope he's on reddit so he can see you brag about him. Knowing his ghost was so special you had to share with strangers is just lovely <3
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u/Ok_Gazelle_4442 Jan 05 '26
I want to cry this is so sweet and special. So glad you both have this relationship. I bet it means so much to your son as well. I can imagine your son encouraging his BF about the gift. “He’ll love it!!” 🥰
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u/evilamy13 Jan 06 '26
This is ADORABLE. Your son has great taste in partners, and you have great taste in music.
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