Mom quietly works on a special gift for 16 years — then gives it to her daughter once she graduated

Most graduation gifts come in boxes, wrapped up, but this one came with 16 years of memories tucked between the pages of a beloved children’s book. In a TikTok video that has captured over 1.1 million hearts, South Carolina mom Andrea Earl (tiesgirl521) gave her daughter Sofia, 18, a surprise that had been in the making since she was just 2 years old.

It was a copy of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss, but with a personal and touching twist. But this wasn’t a normal children's book. Since Sofia was just two years old, Andrea had quietly been asking every one of her daughter’s teachers to write a heartfelt message inside it. The idea took off after a speech therapist gifted Sofia the book along with a sweet note. Inspired, Andrea decided to continue the gesture with each teacher through the years, from nursery school to high school.“When her first teachers adored her, I thought it would be special to have them sign that book,” Andrea told Newsweek. “I didn’t realize others did it too, but I loved the idea of collecting these notes year after year.”

Reading the notes became an emotional yearly ritual for Andrea. “I cried every time I got a new message. It was hard to wait so long for the day Sofia would finally read them,” she said, in her conversation with The Newsweek. Finally, on graduation day, Sofia got to open the book, and the moment was pure magic. It was packed with loving words and praise from years of teachers who had watched her grow.

Sofia, who is autistic and on the lower end of the spectrum, was touched. The clip has warmed thousands of hearts online. Andrea, who posted the video to share it with friends, had no idea it would go viral. “I’m touched that this gift to my daughter is resonating with so many,” she said.  One of the most touching notes came from her favorite English teacher, who also ran her Dungeons & Dragons games. He even wrote new “adventures” for her to take on. The outpouring of love and emotion didn’t stop with Sofia’s reaction; it continued in the comments section, where thousands shared their own stories, tears, and admiration for Andrea Earl’s touching 16-year-long gesture.

 “As a teacher, I was honored to write in books like this,” one user @TXAG90 wrote.@Shellbee summing up what many were feeling,  said, “That was the most thoughtful gift someone could give to another person! You have the biggest heart!” The sentiment was echoed by @Just Violet’s Mom, a teacher who had personally participated in similar keepsakes. “As a teacher who has signed many of these, I absolutely love seeing her reaction and appreciation!! So beautiful!! Congratulations to your daughter!" they said.  @Michelle sharing a moment from her own life, mentioned,  “My mom kept everything, and one of my favorite teachers wrote ‘you are my sunshine’ on a report card and I just saw it this year (I’m 35) and I lost it.”

You can follow @tiesgirl521 on TikTok for more such videos.