This Boy Wrote His Older Brother A Father's Day Card After Their Dad Left And It's So Pure

"It's all about being thankful for what you have, not what you don't have or what you've lost."

By
Stephanie McNeal
by Stephanie McNeal

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Ethan Lanphere is a student at Cornell University and the oldest of three boys. Three months ago, their father was no longer in the picture.

Ethan Lanphere

Since then, Ethan told BuzzFeed News he has been trying to step up to the plate as much as he can. He lives about two hours away from school, so it's been a challenge.

"It's been kind of hard to watch over everybody," he said.

His mom, Heather Lanphere, told BuzzFeed News that her job as an OB/GYN means that she works long hours, and so her sons have to watch over each other often.

"My boys have always been good at looking out for each other," she said.

This Father's Day, Heather said that she tried to prepare her youngest son, 9-year-old Jackson, to be without his dad. She told him that his class might make crafts and gifts for their dads, but he shouldn't feel pressured to participate.

Ethan Lanphere

She also told him that his teacher would understand if he decided to do something else instead while his class was preparing for the holiday.

"I put the seed in his head that it was coming up," she said.

Both Ethan and his mom said they were kind of dreading the holiday.

"It was a sad day," Ethan said. "It was the first day in god knows how long that I didn't have a father to celebrate."

Heather added that the day was especially painful because she also lost her own father, whom she shared her medical practice with, less than two years ago.

"I was not looking forward to Father's Day at all," she said. "I was very nervous about it."

However, Jackson had a different idea. He decided to write a card to Ethan instead, because he has become the father figure in his life.

Ethan Lanphere
Ethan Lanphere

"Dear Ethan, You are the person that I look up to. You have been my influence to make me a good person. Love, Jackson. PS: I love you," he wrote.

Ethan and his mom said neither of them knew Jackson had made the card, and he came up with it all on his own. When Jackson presented the card to Ethan on Father's Day, Ethan said it was hard not to cry.

"It put a huge smile on my face," he said.

His mom said the card made it a happy day, not a sad one.

"It's funny how it turned into such a great event that could make us all smile," she said. "It's all about being thankful for what you have, not what you don't have or what you've lost."

Ethan was so proud of his card, he decided to share it on Twitter. It really touched people's hearts.

Ethan @ethanlanphere

Our father left three months ago. My little brother gave this to me today for "Father's Day" 😭

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The story really made people's days.

Anisah Chauhdry @anisahchauhdry

@ethanlanphere Glad he has someone as great as you! Warmed my heart

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And many encouraged Ethan to keep being a positive role model for his little brother.

Allison Paulsen @paulsen_allison

@ethanlanphere That is so sweet! Keep it up!

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Heather said it is amazing that a day she thought would be a sad time for her family actually became so joyous.

Ethan Lanphere

"It's just kind of reaffirmed that life is just kind of how you look at it," she said.

Ethan said he is excited for all the love from Twitter, but even more proud of his little brother.

"It's definitely been hard but I've seen him, even at 9 years old, grow up a lot," he said. "He's been more mature lately. I'm very proud of him."

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