Stacy and Josh Lemonds were both out of work when their heat was cut in the middle of a harsh Oklahoma City winter.
The electric company cut the electricity in the couple’s home, built in 1945, after checking their meter and determining the original wiring presented a serious fire hazard. With no money for repairs, the couple leaned on their faith.
“We started praying,” Stacy told Oklahoma's News 4.
Joshua Steps Up in the Nick of Time
The couple asked their church group to join them in prayer and that’s when Joshua Matthews reached out.
An electrician’s apprentice who lives 10 minutes from Stacy and Josh, Joshua first met the couple when his wife was sick and they delivered some meals.
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Joshua, who has completed two tours in Afghanistan with the 45th Infantry Division, is happy to serve his friends, church and community every chance he gets. So, when he heard about the couple’s problem, he offered to take a look.
Some church members put Stacy and Josh up in a hotel and Joshua spent days working on their home, free of charge, to bring the wiring up to code.
The Couple Had to Find a Way to Pay Joshua Back
But that’s not where the kindness ends.
The grateful couple teamed up with a local TV news station and tricked Joshua into coming back to their house to surprise him. Joshua thought he was returning to the home for a reinspection. But Stacy and Josh presented him with a First Fidelity Bank $400 Pay It 4Ward award. Through tears, Stacy presented Joshua with the gift, telling him just how much they appreciate him.
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"Thank you so much for taking care of our electric," Stacy told Joshua. "We appreciate you."
Joshua, surprised, clearly wasn't expecting anything in return and told them they didn't have to do that.
"They needed help," Joshua said. "It's just what anyone should do."
Selflessness Is Necessary
Like he served his country, Joshua is happy to serve his friends and community any chance he gets. And, like he told Oklahoma's News 4, it's what anyone should do.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.