A Father’s Viral Letter Project

Rosie Paulik grew up receiving hundreds of handwritten letters from her dad, Buz Ecker—little notes from summer camp, college moves, even about mundane things like what he ate for lunch. After Buz earned his PhD this year, Rosie noticed he was feeling lost, so she posted a simple question on TikTok: “Would anyone want a letter from my dad?” The idea was that strangers who never had a father figure, or whose relationships with their dads are distant, might appreciate some personal encouragement. The response was huge, with thousands of people worldwide asking for letters. Buz, joined by a few father figure volunteers, started sending handwritten letters to anyone who requested one. Each letter was unique, whether it was providing comfort, giving advice, or sharing a story to make someone smile. The project became a beautiful reminder that sometimes even a stranger’s kindness and a few heartfelt words can help heal, uplift, and give people the feeling of support they’ve been missing.

Image via People

Read other stories from the 9/29/25 newsletter:

Doctor Cures His Own Diagnosis 

Global Dressmaking Project

Young Reporters of Hope