Most parents try to capture the excitement and fun of the first day of school. When they were little we made alphabet boards and wrote about their favorite topics and what they wanted to be when they grew up. When they get older, we try to take a picture of them smiling. Much to their chagrin.
A father documented his first day of school with his daughter in his own way, recording a brief interview. He started making these videos when she was in kindergarten and now she’s starting her senior year in high school.
Pittsburgh meteorologist Ray Petelin is a father who shared an adorable and heartbreaking video on TikTok showing his young daughter, Elizabeth, growing up in the blink of an eye.
“I interview my daughter every day she is in school. We just did the last one,” Petrin wrote on the video with a crying emoji text.
He added in the caption: “I’m so proud of this young woman. #girldad #senioryear #dad.
Through the magic of editing, TikTok viewers can gain a special understanding of Elizabeth’s childhood and hear the changes as she grows each year. From the tone of her voice to her interests to her work aspirations, Petlin’s film shows how dramatically our children change during their elementary school years.
“Okay, let’s start recording,” he begins in the video.
“Say your name and spell it,” he told Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth Petlin, EL,” begins 17-year-old Elizabeth, and then the video cuts to little Elizabeth, with her soft, sweet voice and cheeks as cute as an angel.
“-IZAB,” the young girl says, and the video switches back to Elizabeth in the present day.
“ETHPE,” she spelled.
“TELIN,” young Elizabeth finished.
Are you still crying? OK, go ahead!
Petrin then asked the current Elizabeth what she wanted to be when she grew up. Throughout her education, Elizabeth wanted to be a doctor, a teacher, a magician, a waitress, a smoothie shop owner, a homemaker, an open-heart surgeon, and most recently, a physical therapist or nurse.
Peterlin edited each time he told Elizabeth that he and his wife loved her and wished her a happy school year.
In the final clip, present-day Elizabeth jokes: “You’re going to cry.”
“No,” Petrin answered. “I love you.”
Then, in the most heartbreaking spot in the film, we see little Elizabeth again.
“I love you too,” she said sweetly. “Is the school bus here now?”
Petrin also posted the video to his X account, where he received an outpouring of support.
“Saw this on TikTok before, so cool! I have a 7-month-old daughter at home and her feelings are already blowing my mind,” one user wrote.
Petrin responded: “It’s all over, but there’s nothing more valuable… nothing.”
Another dad wrote: “This is awesome and makes me want to do this for my daughter so bad. She is starting daycare in a few weeks. Should I start there?
“The sooner the better. When Elizabeth graduated from preschool, she wanted to “be a mermaid, but not a real mermaid because I still wanted to live with my mom and dad,” Petrin shared.
Who is chopping onions? I need tissues STAT.
