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Thrifting can net all sorts of treasures. Shoppers can snatch up everything from vintage clothes to mid-century modern furniture to kitschy knick-knacks, all without breaking the bank. But for one grieving woman, she found a hidden gem that was truly priceless.
Enrique Alegría Valdivia wasn't planning on being a single dad to four children. But when his wife abruptly walked out the door and didn't look back, he wasn't given a choice.Yet, despite being thrust into single fatherhood in the midst of poverty, the dedicated father is taking care of his children just fine, proving that parental love can overcome any obstacle.The Struggles of Single ParenthoodPhoto by Tom FiskLife in the Cerro Colorado district in Arequipa, Peru was already hard for the Valdivia family. Living in poverty, Valdivia and his wife struggled to provide for the basic needs of their children, aged 5, 7, 9, and 11. When Valdivia's wife abandoned them to reportedly start a new family, life became even more difficult. As the children struggled with the loss of their mother, Valdivia struggled with the loss of a partner in raising them. Overnight he became their sole provider, financially and emotionally. And without any other family around, he is doing it all completely on his own. But he is determined to do the best for his children."They don't deserve to suffer or cry," he told a local news outlet that covered his story for a Father's Day special. Despite constantly worrying about his children and his finances, he works hard to maintain a positive attitude and to provide stability and security for his kids. All while making certain that he is there for his children.Balancing Parenthood and WorkAs any parent knows, juggling work and parenting responsibilities is no easy feat. Valdivia works in construction but he prefers to take on his own jobs rather than work for an employer.This allows him the freedom to set his own hours and to be there to get his kids off to school."My children start school at 7:45, I take them and I can just go to work. For this reason, I cannot work from 7 in the morning as they normally do on construction sites. I look for my own little jobs so as not to harm anyone and they do not claim that I am late or work fewer hours," he said. While working and taking care of his kids, Valdivia is also saving up to buy a house. He currently resides at a friend's house but he dreams of having a "proper home" one day. His dream may soon become a reality, thanks to the power of the media. Word of a Father’s Sacrifice SpreadsAfter Valdivia was featured on the Arequipa news, residents of his local town set up a fund and started donating money. Inspired by his devotion to his children, many view him as a "hero."Valdivia, however, doesn't see himself as a hero. He sees himself as a father. One who will do whatever it takes for the sake of his children. "I give everything I can and have. I will always stand up for my children. I am there to care for them and love them; they are also my greatest strength," he said.And it is that strength that will carry this family through.Because despite the odds stacked against him, despite his wife's abandonment, living in poverty, and the challenge of raising his four children alone, Valdivia wields a weapon greater than all of the adversity. The power of a parent's love for their child. And there is no greater force on earth than that.More from Goalcast:Parents Abandon Baby at Hospital After Being “Horrified” by His Face – Then One Woman Takes Him in as Her OwnWoman Abandons Her Baby at Her Boyfriend’s House – He Decides to Raise the Kid Even if He Isn’t the FatherParents Refuse to Take Newborn Baby Home With Them and Abandon Him at Hospital – One Nurse Takes Him in as Her Own
On July 15, 28-year-old Ivy Jacobsen walked down the aisle to wed her now-husband Tristen.Despite not having her father there, she didn't walk alone. Because while he may not have been there for her, 15 other men were. And whew, you're gonna want to grab the tissues for this one.Why the Father of the Bride Wasn’t at His Daughter’s WeddingPhoto by Dominika RoseclayIvy was just 16 years old when her abusive father walked into a prison cell and out of her life. A sophomore in high school, Ivy played a pivotal role in having her dad arrested and convicted after enduring years of sexual abuse. In July 2013, after three separate trials, Ivy's father was convicted of rape of a child and child molestation. He's currently serving 16 years in prison.After the last trial ended, Ivy was finally free to rebuild her life. She graduated high school and became a law enforcement officer. She currently works as a school resource officer in East Wenatchee, Washington State, which she says is her "dream job."And now, she's a newlywed.And through it all, there have been a number of men who stepped up when her father so miserably failed. Men who shouldered the responsibility of helping to raise her, mentor her, and love her. Men who selflessly made sacrifices to help a child who wasn't their own. Men, she says, without whom she'd "be on the streets."Men who taught her the true meaning of what it is to be a father. Including her father's arresting officer, David White.15 Men Step Up to Walk a Bride Down the AisleIvy knew that on her wedding day, she wanted to do something special to pay tribute to the men in her life that stood by her when she needed them most. "I wanted to honor these 15 men because they were true examples of FATHERS who deserved to be called 'DAD,'" Ivy wrote in an Instagram post. So, she invited them to continue their journey with her...down the aisle.Wedding planner Karrah captured the heartwarming moment on camera and uploaded it to TikTok where it's been viewed over 12 MILLION times. Because it's THAT BEAUTIFUL.As the bride makes her way toward the altar, the men take turns accompanying her, two at a time with one on either side. They hold hands and usher her a few steps down the grassy path before handing her off to the next pair of waiting men.The caption on the video tells a powerful story: "On her wedding day, she asked 15 of the most important men in her life to escort her down the aisle." "These men included her brother, brother-in-law, childhood coaches, and the police officer who arrested her father."With each step, it's obvious that this is so much more than just a love story between a man and a woman on their wedding day. It's a love story between a woman and her "fathers." The men who CHOSE to stand with her throughout her life.(Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry).When Ivy reaches Tristen the officiant asks, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" Her entourage thunderously responds with a collective, "We do."*SOBS*How One Woman Is Turning Tragedy Into TriumphThe gut-wrenching video is melting hearts around the world. In addition to its 12 million views, it's also garnered over 1.8M likes and 17K comments."I can’t stop crying. this is so beautifully heartbreaking 💓," writes one emotional commenter.Another writes, "This is beautiful. I’m so grateful she has all these amazing men to show up for someone who couldn’t in the first place. ❤️""Her Village! they all gave her what she needed in a dad!" writes a third.But it isn't just the men who stepped up that make this so beautiful. It's Ivy. Her strength, her resilience, and her overwhelming courage."Thank you for sharing this and being vulnerable. As a survivor of domestic abuse due to a very abusive marriage, I admire your strength to live above what you’ve experienced," writes one person."Wow, as someone who grew up with an abusive father and let him walk free, I am so proud of her for standing up for herself. She deserves to feel safe and protected," writes another.In an interview, Ivy credits David White, her father's arresting officer, and her own student resource officer from middle school, with being a hero. But the truth is, she's the hero.Despite enduring unthinkable trauma by the man who she should have been able to trust the most, Ivy is thriving. And now? She's using her own tragedy to help others. From Hurt to HopeIn a follow-up TikTok, Ivy thanks viewers for their outpouring of love. She also reminds people that they don't have to live a life imprisoned by their trauma."We all have a story that shapes us — it does not define us — but shapes us and empowers us in ways to move forward."Ivy JacobsenIvy is definitely moving forward. And thanks to the unbreakable bonds she shares with 15 very special men who prove that love really does have the power to triumph over tragedy, she's not doing it alone. More from Goalcast:Bride’s Father Dies Before Wedding – So Her Mom Gifts Her the Ultimate Daddy-Daughter Dance SurpriseBride and Groom Stand at the Altar – Then He Asks Her to Step Aside for Someone ElseBride Bows Head During Wedding Ceremony – The Voice She Hears Next Leaves Everyone in Tears
Apparently, a dress with a turtleneck underneath it is too distracting for a Canadian school's male teachers.Sent home in tearsKaris Wilson, a 12th Grade student at NorKam Secondary in Kamloops, British Columbia, was told her outfit — a black knee-length dress over a white turtleneck — made the teacher and his assistant (also male) uncomfortable. So, they sent the 17-year-old student to the principal's office and she was told to go home. According to her dad, Christopher, she cried the whole way. "I'm disappointed in the system," he said in a Facebook video, according to CTV News.“She’s wearing a turtleneck, under a black dress that goes to her knees,” he added. “This is absurd."A sexist dress codeWilson said he spoke with the school principal and asked for their dress code and was shocked to see that it said “not to wear clothing that is distracting to teaching or learning."“Change needs to happen,” Wilson said. “You can’t talk to students like this. These are little humans that you’re supposed to get excited about learning and the rest of their life, not demoralize them, beat them down and send them home.”Christopher said that his daughter was on board with her father sharing his disappointment. "She said, ‘You know what, it’s OK because if we make any change for someone that comes behind me, then it’s worth it.’”The school district has its tail between its legsA representative for the Kamloops School District told CTV that they were "concerned about these allegations and are treating them seriously." However, it wouldn't share a copy of the school district's dress code despite repeated requests."Whenever a parent is concerned about their child at school we want to work with them for the best outcome for the student."Unsatisfied, students gathered outside the school for a small protest where they chanted: "I stand with Karis."And it seems that the protest worked. In April, InfoNews.ca reported that the district is in the process of revamping its dress code and has already removed the part that says clothing "worn in a way that detracts from the teaching/learning process" is forbidden.See? Change can happenThe fact that this teenager was sent home for wearing a turtleneck is absurd, but the main thing to take away here is that women and girls cannot be blamed for what they wear because it makes men "uncomfortable." That is sexism, plain and simple. You'd think that society should know that by 2021, but clearly there's still work to be done. Fortunately, this school district seems to have changed course — but only thanks to Karis and her dad for doing the right thing and speaking out.For more uplifting news:Man Gives Up First-Class Seat So 88-Year-Old Woman Can Fulfill Lifelong DreamPoor Man Who Missed Job Interview To Save A Life Had Employers Lining Up To Hire HimMan Saves Up For A Year And Surprises Wife With Key To Dream HomeBrooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others
