At 4 years old, Milan has never met her father. Before she was even born, her father was killed. Travis Larson died unexpectedly, leaving behind not only his mother, but his unborn child.
“He didn’t just take my son. He took my best friend. He took his daughter’s daddy away,” Tami Avolia said of her son’s killer. “She never got to meet him. A week before, we were celebrating the gender reveal party. He was so excited he was having a little girl.”
Tami helps raise his daughter Milan in his absence, and even though he is not physically there, Tami makes sure her son is still a part of his daughter’s life. That’s why ever year, they celebrate his birthday.
The Special Gift One Little Girl Sent to Her Father in Heaven
Milan had a special present for her dad this year, a little gift she thought of all on her own. She wanted to gift her dad balloons. She wrote a note, tied it to a helium balloon, and let them go, hoping they would reach her father.
“She wrote a note to him, and I translated it and it says, “Happy birthday, daddy. I love you. I miss you. And I never wanted you to go away. Happy Birthday. Baby girl,'” Tami said.
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Only days later, Tami opened her mailbox one day to find a box inside addressed to “baby girl” from “Daddy in heaven.” She immediately began to cry.
Tami brought the box to Milan so they could open it together. Inside was a note, signed from Travis.
“I love your birthday present. Thank you so much. Daddy loves you and Mommy so much and you all. Here’s a present that I made just for you. Hope you like them,” the note read.
How a Complete Stranger Restored a Family’s Faith in Humanity
Tami was told by a postal worker in Fayette County that a woman nearby in Brier Hill had found the note and balloon at her home. Touched by Milan’s love for her father, the woman wanted to do something kind in return. That’s when she decided to respond on “behalf of Daddy in heaven.”
In addition to the note, the woman included three handmade Christmas ornaments.
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“They are Christmas tree ornaments, and I am sending you a kiss from heaven. Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. I love you so much. Daddy,” finished the letter.
It was hard for Tami to regain faith in humanity after the death of her son. But through her little granddaughter, and through the generosity exhibited from people like the woman who found the balloon, her belief in the good of people is being restored.
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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.