Ever since losing her father, Chastity Patterson used to text him every day to cope with the grief of his departure.
The woman, from Arkansas, had been doing this for the last four years, but something very unexpected happened recently – she got a reply from her dad’s number.
To further add to her surprise, the stranger who replied to her revealed that he’s been receiving her messages for the last four years.
Named ‘Brad,’ the man wrote in his message that he had also lost his daughter four years ago and it was Chastity’s daily updates that kept him alive during all this time.
In the message sent on her father’s fourth anniversary, Chastity wrote how much she missed him, before updating him on her education, health, and heartbreak.
The response she got from Brad said: “Hi sweetheart, I am not your father, but I have been getting all your messages for the past 4 years.”
He explained: “When you text me I know it’s a message from God. I’m sorry you lost someone so close to you, but I have listened to you over the years and I have watched you grow and go through more than anyone.
“I have wanted to text you back for years, but I didn’t want to break your heart.
“You are an extraordinary woman and I wish my daughter would have become the woman you are, thank you for your everyday updates, you remind me that there is a God and it wasn’t his fault that my little girl is gone.
“He gave me you, my little angel and I knew this day was coming. Everything will be okay.”
The man continued: “I’m sorry you have to go through this, but if it makes it any better, I am very proud of you!” before signing off, saying: “Take care and I look forward to your updates tomorrow.”
Chastity posted the screenshots of her conversation on Facebook, writing: “I text my dad everyday to let him know how my day goes, for the past Four years!
“Today was my sign that everything is okay and I can let him rest!”
The images went viral as soon as they’re posted, racking up more than 100,000 reactions and over 220,000 shares from people around the world.
One Facebook user wrote: “Made me cry. I lost my dad 4 years ago too. I miss him so very much. So happy you, and that person have each other.”
Another said: “My sister and I just lost our dad very unexpectedly. He was very healthy and so young and died while out for his morning walk. I am beyond broken but this gave a little life to my morning.”
Replaced!