Matt Goodman enjoyed his first legal drink on his dad. Even though he passed away six years ago, he left a $10 bill so he could purchase a beer when he turned 21.
A son's first drink with his father is a ceremonious occasion. Yes, it rests on patriarchal traditions but if a father would commemorate any first drink with their child in a special way, regardless of gender, this could become a harmless tradition. For Matt Goodman, however, the day he turned 21-years-old was particularly important. He lost his father John Goodman six years ago and wanted nothing more than to celebrate his birthday with a drink, of course, with his father by his side. While his father could not be there, he made sure that his son had his first drink on him. The dad had left behind $10 so his son could have his first legal drink, CNN reports.
Goodman's father died of esophageal cancer six years prior. Though he was not there to physically celebrate his son's 21st birthday, he was definitely there in spirit (pun totally intended). John Goodman left behind a $10 bill so he could buy his son his first beer. This was a secret Goodman's mom and sister kept from him for over half a decade. On December 6, the 21-year-old used the money to purchase his first legal pint of beer.
almost 6 years ago before my dad passed he gave my sister this 10$ bill to give to me on my 21st birthday so he could buy me my first beer, cheers pops havin this one for you! pic.twitter.com/oaIulpEJTc
— Matt Goodman (@mattg12699) December 6, 2020
"Knowing that he thought about a future big moment in my life meant everything, because even being gone he still did whatever he could to make my 21st birthday," he said in an interview with CNN. "It was probably the best present I've ever gotten." The $10 bill was really just a continuation of John Goodman's great parenting when he was alive. He was there for every important event in his son's life: "every game, every birthday, and every heartbreak." Therefore, it is evident that he would be there in whatever way he could for his first drink.
almost 6 years ago before my dad passed he gave my sister this 10$ bill to give to me on my 21st birthday so he could buy me my first beer, cheers pops havin this one for you! pic.twitter.com/oaIulpEJTc
— Matt Goodman (@mattg12699) December 6, 2020
Goodman shared, "Not having him around has obviously been the toughest thing in my life since he was my best friend. He was a huge goofball that would do anything in the world to make me happy." And his dad has done it again! The moment was incredibly special to the 21-year-old, who took to Twitter in order to share it with the internet. He wrote, "Cheers pops, havin' this one for you!" The heartwarming story quickly went viral online, and his tweet has since received over 540,000 likes. It has also been shared more than 27,500 times.
Thanks @budweiserusa i think i got my next few beers taken care of!!! pic.twitter.com/w0Txl413sZ
— Matt Goodman (@mattg12699) December 8, 2020
The post went so viral, in fact, that beer manufacturers Budweiser caught wind of it. The beer giant thus decided to send Goodman eight cases of beer. They responded, "We're raising one to your pops, Matt. He got your first beer and the next one's on us." The young man posted a thank you to Budweiser and encouraged other users to donate to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, which supports Nobel Prize-winning research, advancements in immunotherapy, and successful clinical trials. According to Goodman, Dana-Furber greatly helped his father during his own experiences with esophageal cancer. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.
Hey @BudweiserUSA we will see your 8 cases and raise you a special weekend in Vegas we’ve put together just for @mattg12699. Because what better place to celebrate being 21 in 2021 than here? #21in21 #vegas https://t.co/WvTsYV5BHK
— Vegas (@Vegas) December 20, 2020