Son gets unexpected call from estranged dad with a request — his decision changed both their lives forever

While many people grow up with close relationships with their parents, that’s not the case for everyone. The reasons vary, but the distance is real. So when one man received a call from his father, who had been in prison for over 20 years, he had to decide how he wanted to move forward. What he chose to do changed everything. The man, Cam Walker, shared his story on TikTok under the handle @dadwantstohelp about how he reconnected with his father after decades apart.

Beginning the video, he said that his dad had spent 20 years in prison and was released when he was 21. He explained, "We started texting right away, mostly about sports and bulls***. Nothing too deep. Occasionally, we’d throw in a Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas." They only saw each other once a year, if that. He said, "So, at this point we're still basically strangers. We’re cordial, but we don’t really know each other that well." That changed three years ago when he received an unexpected call from his father. He said, "I know instantly cause in all of our years of communication, we have never once called each other."

He recalled thinking, "Shit has hit the fan, I already know before I answered his phone." Sure enough, his dad was in jail again and needed $5,000 for bail. He said, "I’m the only person who knows who could possibly do that for him…otherwise he’s there till trial, which could be anywhere from six months to three years." He wrestled with the decision, saying, "Ultimately, I don’t have the heart to not pay the money… so f*** it." He made the three-hour trip to bail his father out. But that wasn’t the end of it–his dad had nowhere to go. He said, "He got in trouble at the place he was living…he has nothing." After talking it through with his partner, they offered him a room in their home.

He recalled, "Eventually we just decided, he's coming to live with us. We have an extra guest bedroom. We don’t know each other…whatever though. Let’s see what happens." To his surprise, the decision turned out to be one of the best he’s ever made. He said, "It’s been f***ing amazing. He’s lived with us for three years now. He’s like my best friend in the world. And my son loves him—loves his papa." He ended the video reflecting on how unlikely it all was, "Who would have ever guessed? I didn’t know this man for like 20 years. And then all of a sudden, as a grown man, here he is and bam—now we best friends. Life’s f***ing crazy."

The video kept a lot of viewers on the edge, and they celebrated how it ended. @monbustam wrote, "I love the ending!! So happy for both of you!" @florenceg331 said, "Whole time I’m saying, 'Please let it be a good ending.'" @yourheroicadventure added, "Taking chances on someone who has messed up is human. Giving yourself the chance to do so is divine."

@chillinwithchez noted, "The trajectory of three generations changed that night—$5K well spent." @pr3ttyplus commented, "You had me nervous as hell! Lol. So glad things worked out for your family."

You can follow Cam Walker (@dadwantstohelp) on TikTok for more parenting content.