A woman, who has texted her father every day since he died, has reportedly received a reply four years on – the response, a silver lining amidst grief and pain.
WATCH: Incredible moment little girl hears for the first time
Chastity Patterson, 23, has texted her late dad’s old phone number each day since he passed away with updates about her life.
On the four-year anniversary of her dad’s death, Patterson sent the number a long message telling her dad she loved and missed him.
While she knew he could never reply, she wanted to recap the big moments in her life – from graduating to falling in love and even beating cancer.
‘Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you’
“It’s been four years since I lost you and not a day goes by that I don’t miss you,” she said.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me the most, but one day we will [sic] our chance to watch that game!”
‘I have wanted to text you back for years’
This week, the young woman reportedly received a reply from the person who now has her dad’s phone number.
The response was quite remarkable.
“My name is Brad and I lost my daughter in a car wreck August 2014 and your messages have kept me alive,” the text explained.
‘I didn’t want to break your heart’
“When you text me, I know it’s a message from God.”
“I have listened to you for years and I have watched you grow more than anyone,” the man named Brad said.
“I have wanted to text you back for years, but I didn’t want to break your heart.”
He heartbreakingly explained that he wished his daughter had become the woman she is, calling her extraordinary.
“I’m sorry you have to go through this but if it makes it any better, I am very proud of you!”
Patterson posted their correspondence on Facebook and it has since gone viral.
“I text my dad every day to let him know how my day goes, for the past four years! Today was my sign that everything is okay and I can let him rest!” she wrote.
In a later post she explained that while the man was not her biological father, she called him dad and he was there for her in every facet of life.
“He never missed a school dance, prom, my games and YES he would give me long talks about my mouth and attitude,” she said on Facebook.
“I’ve cried with him, told him everything and even became very independent because he took the time to love me and show me what happiness looks like,” she added.
This article originally appeared on 7News.com.au
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