Fathers will do anything for their little girls, even work three jobs to be able to buy her the dress of her dreams. That’s exactly what a Pennsylvania dad did after his daughter mentioned wanting a $200 dress for her first formal dance. The video showing the emotional moment between father and daughter is winning the hearts of millions of people around the world.
15. Work Ethic
Image: YouTube
Ricky Smith’s photograph should be in the dictionary under the term “work ethic.” The Pennsylvania dad holds down three jobs to provide for his family. He juggles jobs at Circle K, Popeyes and McDonald’s just to make ends meet. The 36-year old Smith is proud of his children and proud to go the extra mile to support his wife and family. When Ricky’s daughter mentioned a special dress she wanted for her first formal dance, Ricky decided to do something special.
14. Dream Dress
Image: Facebook
Neveaha Smith is a 14-year old who recently graduated from Ringgold Middle School in Monongahela, Pennsylvania. She was excited about the upcoming formal dance, which was scheduled for June. Nevaeha had confided in her dad that she wanted a certain dress for the dance, but she also knew it was a pretty expensive wardrobe for a teenager.
13. A $200 Price Tag
Image: CBS Pittsburgh
Ricky wanted to buy it for her, but when he saw the pricetag he was shocked: the dress cost $200. He hated to let his daughter down, but sometimes it’s just not possible to spend so much one one item, especially when there are bills to pay. Ricky told Nevaeha the truth, that he was not sure they could afford it. “I looked at the price and I was like, ‘Uh, not really sure, but I can see what I can do.”
12. Seven Days a Week
Image: Good Morning America
Ricky was already working six days a week and sometimes seven. However, Ricky also wasn’t going to let his daughter’s dream die without a fight. Without telling her the specifics, Ricky picked up even more shifts, working around the clock seven days a week, just to be able to buy the $200 dress while still meeting the family’s other financial obligations. Once he had saved enough money, he decided to buy the dress.
11. Secret Purchase
Image: YouTube
Ricky’s wife Kelly Anne said “why don’t you surprise her?” Ricky thought that sounded like a special idea. He carefully placed the $200 dress in a garment bag. When Nevaeha saw the garment bag around the house, Ricky mentioned that it belonged to her grandmother. Nevaeha still didn’t know that her dad’s extra hours at work were all about preparing for this moment.
10. The Setup
Image: Ybdia
Ricky and Kelly Anne came up with a plan to make their daughter’s dreams come true. Ricky asked her to stop by while he was working his shift at McDonald’s. She often visits him at work since he is gone for so many hours a week. Kelly Anne went along, secretly planning to film the big moment. Little did they know that they were about to become America’s sweethearts.
9. “An Old Lady Dress”
Image: YouTube
When Nevaeha arrived at McDonald’s, her dad pulled her aside. Then he showed her the garment bag. He faked her out by claiming that her grandmother had purchased a dress for the upcoming dance. “I brought it out and told her that her grandmother bought it for her and I told her, ‘This ain’t the dress you wanted, but I hope you like it,’” Ricky said.
Neveaha was unimpressed. “I was thinking, ‘This is going to be an old lady dress.”
8. Unzipping the Bag and the Secret
Image: YouTube
When Ricky unzipped the bag, Nevaeha never expected to see the dress she had picked out. She was immediately overcome with respect and love for her father. “My heart felt like there was more love in it than there was before,” Neveaha said. Although she had hoped he would let her get the dress, she never really expected him to do it, especially knowing all of his responsibilities. “I love him and I’m really happy that’s he’s my father.”
7. Priceless
Image: Kelly Anne Fleming
When Neveaha saw the gift she gasped and exclaimed “It’s the dress!” According to Ricky, just seeing her smile and tears were enough. “All I can really do was smile,” he said. Ricky was already looking forward to the day when Neveaha put on the floral dress for the first time.
6. An Amazing Reveal
Image: YouTube
When Nevaeha realized that the bag contained her formal dress, she simply jumped up and down with joy. Then she gave Ricky an enormous hug. She cried. She wanted the dress desperately, but didn’t pressure her parents to buy it for her. Nevaeha knew how lucky she was to have two parents who would go to such great lengths to make her happy. Now everyone else in the world knows it, too.
5. Over 13 Million Views
Image: Teen Vogue
The dress was purchased from Style Exchange Boutique and they had the honor of posting the emotional video to their Facebook page. They had no idea that it would become such a hit. But since it first went up last May, it has garnered more than 13 million views! Talk about striking a nerve!
4. What Parenting is All About
Image: YouTube
The team at Style Exchange was just as excited about the purchase as Neveaha. “Now this is really what being a dad is all about! ? Her dad works three jobs and surprised her with her dream dress for 8th grade formal after telling her it was not a financial possibility. Thank you for letting us be a part of it!”
3. Daddy’s Little Girl
Image: YouTube
“Her dad works three jobs and surprised her with her dream dress for 8th grade formal after telling her it was not a financial possibility,” the post from Style Exchange Boutique continues. “He made it happen and surprised her at his work! Definitely daddy’s little girl! We’re so happy we could be a part of it!”
2. Father’s Day
Image: Facebook
“Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads out there that go above and beyond for their kids day in and day out!,” the post said.
Neveaha is very proud of her dad. “My heart felt like there was more love in it than there was before,” said Nevaeha, describing the big moment. “I love him and I’m really happy that’s he’s my father.”
1. Happy Dancing
Image: Facebook
The two have been interviewed by the news and appeared on talk shows. This is a true testament to how many people could relate to both the love and the sacrifice Ricky demonstrated. As for Nevaeha, she arrived at the dance wearing a dress that will be an indelible memory from her childhood. With the love and support of her parents, Nevaeha will undoubtedly grow into a confident young woman.