Dad interviewed his daughter on every first day of school and just did the last one

For years, Ray Petelin, a devoted father, has maintained a touching tradition with his daughter.

Every first day of school, without fail, Ray sits down with his daughter for a heartfelt interview on camera.

This tradition began when she was just a little girl, and now, as she enters her senior year of high school, Ray has completed the final interview in this beautiful series.

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Each year, Ray asks his daughter the same question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

It’s a simple question, but over the years, it has captured the evolution of a child’s dreams and aspirations, reflecting her growth, personality, and interests.

The videos always end with Ray telling his daughter how much he loves her, a reminder of the unwavering support and affection he has for her, no matter what path she chooses.

This year, Ray shared a compilation of these interviews on TikTok, and it has struck an emotional chord with viewers worldwide.

The video beautifully captures the journey of a little girl growing into a young woman, with her dad’s unwavering love and pride evident in every clip.

As we watch her grow from a shy, curious child into a confident, poised young adult, it’s hard not to feel the emotion that Ray himself feels behind the camera.

“I’m so proud of this young woman,” Ray captioned the video, a simple yet powerful statement that resonates with every parent who has watched their child grow up.

The pride in his voice and the love in his eyes are palpable in every clip, and it’s clear that these interviews are as much a testament to his daughter’s growth as they are to the bond they share.

The response to Ray’s video has been overwhelming. Comments flooded in, with many expressing how deeply they were moved by the compilation.

One user wrote, “Love this idea ‘are you gonna cry?’ Yes Elizabeth, all of us on TikTok are.”

Another echoed this sentiment, saying, “He was definitely about to cry & so are we .”

It’s clear that Ray’s tradition has touched a nerve, reminding people of the fleeting nature of childhood and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Another commenter perfectly summed up the collective sentiment: “Is the school bus here now? I’m sobbing. This was SO sweet!”

This simple tradition of Ray’s has reminded us all of the importance of capturing and cherishing the small, everyday moments that make up our lives. It’s these moments that, when looked back upon, show us how much we’ve grown and changed over the years.

The video compilation is more than just a series of interviews; it’s a celebration of a father’s love and dedication, a daughter’s growth, and the special bond they share.

In a world where time seems to fly by, Ray’s tradition serves as a beautiful reminder to take a moment, reflect, and appreciate the journey of growing up.

As Ray’s daughter embarks on her senior year, one can’t help but wonder how she will look back on these interviews in the years to come.

Will she continue the tradition with her own children one day? Will she look back at these videos with her dad and remember the love and support that was always there?

For now, we can all appreciate the beautiful gift that Ray has given to his daughter and to all of us—a reminder to cherish every moment, to express our love, and to always be proud of those we care about.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

@raypetelin I’m so proud of this young woman. #girldad #senioryear #dad ♬ Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

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