Adult son's friends thought they were just catching up — until his dad made them feel like kids again

For some, childhood fades into distant memories. For others, it’s something to hold onto forever. And what better way to embrace it than through toys? Artist and designer Johnny Haiki (@johnnyhaiki on Instagram) recently shared a touching moment when his father did just that—keeping his son’s childhood alive in the most heartwarming way. During a family outing, just as Haiki and his friends were saying their goodbyes, his father surprised them with something unexpected. While they were excited to see Haiki’s parents, they had no idea a nostalgic gift was waiting for them.

The video captured Haiki’s father handing out toys—not to kids, but to his son and his friends, who were all about to turn 30. Yes, you read that right. It’s not a story or a scene from a movie but a real-life incident that unfolded at what seemed like a restaurant with intricate wooden décor, paper lanterns, and a serene ambiance. The family and friends had all gathered there to spend some quality time together. But their meeting, which appeared to have been well-planned in advance, took a surprising turn when Haiki’s dad came up with some cool and expensive-looking figurines. The heartfelt exchange brought a smile to the friends of the content creator, as seen in the 20-second clip.

“(My dad) still thinks we are kids,” Haiki wrote in the caption. Additionally, the captions aptly reflected his unique bond with his mom and dad, who were equally excited to present the “Transformers” action figure. “This is classic,” one of Haiki’s friends was heard saying after receiving the gift, inspired by the popular animation show. In response, Haiki’s father confirmed it, stating that it was the popular figurine’s “Legacy” edition. “This is the exclusive version,” the cheered-up dad said while pointing to the toy from the “Transformers” robotic collection.

For reference, a similar Transformers figurine was listed on Hasbro Pulse for $54.99. But for Haiki’s friends, the real value wasn’t in the price—it was in the sentiment. The gifts brought back waves of childhood nostalgia, and the friends couldn't hide their excitement. They shook hands with Haiki’s father, thanking him for his kindness. As the night came to a close, Haiki summed up the moment with a simple but heartfelt text overlay: “My dad's green flag is that he still gives my friends toys even though we're about to turn 30.”

Since being posted on January 28, 2025, the heartwarming video has racked up over 854,000 views and 68,000 likes. Among the countless reactions it received, @ooyen lauded, “He's the parent that heard his kids like apples and has not stopped buying apples for them since 2005. What a blessing to have him in your lives.” “Giving a man a toy really is the best feeling,” @so_eliza expressed. “I’m 35 and still like giving toys. Humans don’t grow up, we just get hit with responsibilities,” @ivan_enrique echoed similar sentiments.

You can follow Johnny Haiki (@johnnyhaiki) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.