Single Dad Who Went Viral After Mom Abandoned Baby Says the Family Is Done Posting Updates

Updated July 20 2018, 1:54 p.m. ET

I kind of feel like single dads get the short end of the stick. It can be awkward to take your kid to a playground full of moms, or to host a playdate when you know some parents are uncomfortable with the thought of leaving their daughter with just you, a single man.

It’s also true that we’re members of a society that puts single moms on a pedestal while kind of looking down on dads who do the parenting thing on their own. That's probably why we love stories where single dads triumph over hardship and come out on top. Plus, who doesn't love it when dads go above and beyond to be loving, caring, and devoted to their kids?

Richard Johnson's story was one that many parents could identify with, and one that touched many hearts.

Back in 2015, Richard introduced himself to the Facebook group Life of Dad. He wrote,

The post got close to 100k Likes, and it opened up a conversation where other parents shared their stories. 

A strong community is crucial when it comes to single parenting. After all, as Richard himself explained, it was reading about others in a similar situation that helped him persevere with Persephone in the months after her mom abruptly left. 

In fact, the Life of Dad post got so much attention that Richard posted a heartwarming and vulnerable follow-up about how humbled he was by the internet's comments. 

*cries silently into computer*

The internet displayed such a tenderness and affection for Richard's story that he decided to start a Facebook page exclusively dedicated to documenting their father-daughter journey.

Over the years, Richard has opened up about medical hardships Persephone endured, and how she came out resilient.

"I am proud to announce after a 3 hour long ultrasound, grunts and groans from our Doctor. Miss Persephone Lilith Johnson's heart is now at 100% health," he wrote one day.

He even shared some funny memes, proving that he'll no doubt be a pretty cool dad to grow up around.

They celebrated her birthdays in the most adorable ways possible, with her dad — who has an obvious knack for moving us to tears with his words — sharing updates like this one:

In the two or so years since she was born, over five thousand people around the world have followed along as she took important calls, put on cool outfits, and ate very delicious food.

We even watched as precious Persephone (Percy, as they occasionally nickname her) got a new mom. In a heartwarming post about a year and a half into running his Facebook page, Richard posted:

He shares how the two met at a mall when she helped him pick clothes for Persephone.

Since then, we've been witness to some fun family caricatures, Halloween costumes, and hockey games. To all the thousands of followers who have been there from the beginning, the Johnsons feel like family.

Which is why many were sad when Richard revealed earlier this month that he would stop posting on the page.

As Richard shared on his page years ago, "Life isn't about when the book ends, it's about how you decide to start the next story in your series."

We wish you a great next story, Richard and Persephone!

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