Twenty one-year-old Karyn Vallantyne called her friend on February 11th hoping to get some advice and encouraging words as she complained about her love life.
However, it was not the words of her friend that helped her, but a note from a stranger.
Alone on Valentine's Day
Karyn, who works at a recruitment agency, chatted with her 23-year-old friend Grace over the phone as Karyn commuted home. Just days before Valentine’s Day, she admitted to her friend that she was going to give up on love after so many failed attempts.
"I was telling Grace about my love life and how I've been treated badly in the past and I'm basically giving up and losing hope,” Karyn said. "I wasn't crying but I was definitely down.”
The idea of spending another Valentine’s Day alone caused Karyn to get emotional on the train.
I was sick of being on my own on Valentine's. It makes you think there's something wrong with you. I have always been a very romance-orientated person. If I'm not in a relationship I think less of myself.
Karyn Vallantyne
Message from her Guardian Angels
As Karyn talked on her phone, a stranger dropped a note into her lap. At first, Karyn expected the note to tell her to stop complaining. Instead, the message was much kinder.
"I wasn't expecting it, I thought it was going to say 'shut up' or something, I didn't expect it to be remotely kind,” Karyn said.
Written on a torn piece of newspaper were the words “You’re worth more. Move on.”
“I'd been people watching so I'd seen she was doing the crossword, she ripped the corner of the page off to write on it,” Karyn said.
When I read it, I just burst into tears. I looked up to see if I could see her. There were loads of other people looking at me and I got really embarrassed.
Karyn Vallantyne
The note brought Karyn to tears, and she has vowed to track down the writer, who she believes was sent by guardian angels.
”I'm quite spiritual and it made me think a lot about my guardian angels, they knew I needed a sign but they couldn't do it,” Karyn said.
A Jane Doe
Unfortunately, with no name and no other information, Karyn is struggling to identify the stranger.
“I hope I manage to find her, it would be lovely,” Karyn said. “I'd like to send her some flowers or something to let her know I've acknowledged and appreciate what she wrote.”
Though Karyn had sought out the words of her friend, hearing this advice from a stranger was more effective.
"It was like a slap in the face. I should listen to my friend's advice but I have to learn the hard way, it was a massive wake up call,” Karyn said.
You are loved
Sometimes, we need a stranger to remind us that whether we are in a relationship or not, we are loved. The passerby on Karyn’s commute overheard someone questioning her worth, and instead of ignoring these worries, the stranger made sure Karyn knew she was deserving.
Even a short, anonymous note can help remind someone of their worth, so make sure to tell the ones you love that you love them and strangers on a train that they are loved, too.
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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.