Barista Nicole McNeil always wondered why one of her regulars, Vince Villano, was down all the time. He would just sit there at a Starbucks in Dupont, Washington, slouched over his trenta vanilla sweet cream cold brew.
"He kind of seemed like an Eeyore, just a little bit grouchy, a little bit of a sad sack all the time,” she told KIRO 7.
He had nearly given up
One day, Nicole decided to find out what was troubling him. "I asked him, 'What's going on Vince?'" she said. Villano revealed that he had an incurable illness- polycystic kidney disease.
"It's such an unpredictable disease. The only thing predictable about it is that you lose your kidney function,” Villano said. He said his only hope was a kidney transplant.
"They're functioning at 4 percent,” he added. “We're at the critical point where, if it doesn't happen, then I would've gotten on dialysis anyway."
When Nicole got home, she told her husband Justin about Villano and his initial response was unbelievable.
"I have a kidney. So I can give him a kidney,” Justin McNeil recalled saying in a Starbucks video.
"Before knowing anything else about the man, that was his first thought," Nicole said in awe of her husband's kindness.
Two peas in a pod
Justin connected with Villano and the two found out they had a lot in common, including that they were both Army veterans. "There's just that baseline of trust," Villano said.
They were also a perfect match for Justin to donate his kidney. "I'd always had hope in the back of my mind," Villano said.
With this good news, the surgery was scheduled on Justin's 36th birthday. When asked if giving his kidney was hard, Justin had a beautiful response.
It's easier to give, you know? And the bigger the gift, sometimes it's easier to give.
Justin McNeil
The kindness of strangers
We often hear about people donating a kidney, and it never gets less astonishing, especially when given by a stranger. This story is even more special considering that donating the kidney was Justin's first response before even knowing they were both in the military.
What this story shows is that there are people out there that are good and willing to help when given the opportunity to do so.
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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.