This is Gabby Alfaro and her father Carlos. They live in San Bernardino, California.
Gabby graduated from the University of California, Riverside, in 2016 and recently completed her Masters in Education and Teaching. She's been hired as a teacher in the San Bernardino school district, something that has been her goal since she was very young.
When Gabby's parents were in their mid-20s, Carlos worked in landscaping and took night classes to learn English.
Here's the note:
Gabby tweeted out the note when she graduated with her Masters. Her father didn't know that she had found the notebook. "I wanted to show him how his hard work has paid off," Gabby said.
My dad took night classes to learn English and wrote this as an assignment. 17 years later, I got my Masters. I did… https://t.co/xoZ4yAdmcP
People were in tears over Carlos' touching note, and Gabby's tweet was retweeted over 50,000 times. Thousands of people responded with praise.
@gabbypatty8 @imbeverlyluna
@gabbypatty8 Fuck. You're famous 😭 and for a great reason! Congrats on your masters and your father for raising a smart Latina 💗
@gabbypatty8 okay, this made my night! congratulations on your degree and this was absolutely beautiful!😭💕
@gabbypatty8 What your dad said about education being the only road to success hit home to me, my dad always says t… https://t.co/1f4bblo11k
@gabbypatty8 okay, i'm crying. wow 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
"When it started getting popular my mum called my dad at work to tell him he was getting famous," said Gabby. "I'm sure he'll be a little embarrassed."
@gabbypatty8 Mad respect to you and your family. You're beautiful people!
Gabby said that her father is usually very stoic and "macho," which made his letter even more surprising.
Now, 17 years after Carlos wrote his note about the importance of his daughter's education, Gabby will be teaching English in California.
