A dad shared the sweet note left on his windshield from a fellow camper after a trip to Yosemite National Park with his family.
Jerardo Reynoso, 36, from Sacramento, California, was enjoying a break in the great outdoors with his four children and his wife Lucia, to celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary, when he was praised by a fellow camper for “killing it as a dad.”
“The trip was incredible. While we’ve camped near Yosemite many times before, this year we were lucky enough to secure a spot inside the park,” Reynoso told Newsweek.
A handwritten note left to a father who took his family camping. The unexpected gesture, praising the dad’s parenting, led to an outpouring of support online.
Jerardo Reynoso
Camping is a special tradition for Reynoso and his family, and the note left by the anonymous camper was a welcome surprise for the avid adventurer.
“Bro, I camped in the spot behind you last night,” the note reads, “let me just say, you are killing it as a dad.
“First off, I watched your wife guide you in as you backed up your trailer and nailed it on the first try without any yelling. Then your kids unloaded from the truck and were mild-mannered and well behaved.”
The note continues: “You told stories around the campfire and I had the pleasure of listening to the sounds of giggles and laughter. From one dad to another, you are killing it. Keep it up.”
As a final compliment, the author adds: “P.S. Whatever you cooked for dinner smelled delicious!”
The handwritten message was then shared online by Reynoso in a since deleted Reddit post.
“Camping has been a part of our lives since Lucia and I first started dating,” he told Newsweek. He hopes that his children “will continue this camping tradition as they grow older.”
When the note was shared online, Reddit users took to the comments to share their thoughts. One person with the username u/wrongwayup said: “If one dude wrote a note you KNOW he wasn’t the only one who saw.”
Meanwhile, u/FamousSuccess commented: “Man. Best feeling in the world. I try to extend these type of compliments as much as I receive them. Dads need to support each other.”
u/GunsAndCoffee1911 wrote: “The other day my buddy randomly told me I’m a great dad. It literally made my day.”
u/FrederickDurst1 joked: “Getting to the campground early, setting up, and watching other couples argue over backing up is my family’s favorite camping activity.”
Camping is a hugely popular pastime for many, with over 50 million Americans having gone on camping trips in 2022 and 2023 according to Statista.
Yosemite National Park, located in California, is a popular destination for eager campers and hikers alike. Last year, 3.9 million people visited the park, which is known for its scenic mountains, waterfalls and abundant wildlife.
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