Wife gifted a teddy bear for his first Father's Day without dad — he wept like a boy when he pressed its paw

A woman named Freddi Lynn Hill recently shared a Father’s Day moment that was harder than most. It marked her husband’s first year celebrating without his father, who had passed away. To honor the day and the loss behind it, she planned a gift that carried her father-in-law's memory. Hill shared the moment through a video on her Instagram page @fashionwithfreddi on June 16, 2025 which has since garnered more than 480,000 views and 64,000 likes.

As Hill's husband opened the package from their children, he found a teddy bear covered in blue fabric with white stars. Tucked alongside it were cards and a message from their children. As he pulled them out one by one, smiling through heavy emotion, his wife gently prompted him, "Push his hand. You gotta push his paw." When he did as asked, the bear’s speaker came to life with his father’s voice, "Just want to tell you Happy Birthday. I hope you enjoy your day and I love you with all my heart." As soon as he heard it, his face folded into his hand, with grief and gratitude colliding in a moment.

What her husband felt is something most people instinctively understand: the ache of missing a voice you thought you’d never hear again. A 2023 study published in Omega found that hearing a deceased loved one’s voice can provide comfort without distress, especially during periods of grief. The study emphasized how such experiences can help maintain emotional bonds after loss — something Hill’s gesture captured with tenderness and intention. "My father-in-law was an amazing man/father. I wanted to make his [her husband's] day by giving him the gift of hearing his dad’s voice. We miss you dearly, T. Hill. Forever in our hearts," Hill wrote in the caption.

The video hit home for many viewers, who expressed their thoughts and shared similar stories in the comments. @stephenj3922 said, "Those are the most priceless gifts. I had a voicemail from my grandma I wanted to do that with, but I lost that phone so long ago and she’s been gone ten years already. Happy Father’s Day (a day late)." @thesmcdonough wrote, "We cannot begin to understand the power of showing this kind of love and vulnerability in front of those boys. They feel about him what he felt about his dad, and will bring that strength into their adulthoods and relationships. Such a beautiful thing."

@call_her_ceecee shared, "I had my PawPaw’s voicemail for years until Verizon deleted it. He was singing Happy Birthday to me… I wish I would’ve thought of something like this back then." @thecolorado_kid noted, "Losing your father is an indescribable feeling. Bless you, ma’am, for being present for him." @xsantm_ pointed out, "Maybe it was the laugh covered in tears and pain, or the fact that you saw his inner child realize he no longer had his father around for a quick hug or conversation anymore, but happy Father’s Day to your husband, so so sorry for his loss."

If you're struggling to cope with grief and need help, please reach out to Crisis Response at 1-800-203-CARE (2273).

You can follow Freddi Lynn Hill (@fashionwithfreddi) for more fashion, travel, and lifestyle content.