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FORT WORTH, Texas — Single parents often have to tackle multiple roles, but one Texas mom is winning over hearts everywhere with her “dad” side.
Yevette Vasquez is raising her 12-year-old son, Elijah, all on her own. While there are many difficult things about single parenting, Vasquez told ABC News the hardest part is worrying her son will miss out on the father-son stuff.
So when she pulled up to her son’s school to drop him off last week and noticed the parking lot packed with cars, she knew something was up.
“I asked him, ‘What’s going on? Is there some event that I’m supposed to be here for?” Vasquez told ABC.
When Elijah informed his mom that the school was hosting a “Donuts with Dad” event, she immediately asked him why he hadn’t told her earlier and joked that she would have happily dressed up like a man so she could attend.
Much to Vasquez’s surprise, Elijah was totally on board with the idea, telling her, “We got 10 minutes before the bell rings!” ABC reported.
So the mother-son pair raced home, and with the help of a plaid shirt, baseball hat and fake mustache, they returned to the school as “father” and son.
“Most of the dads thought it was really cool,” Vasquez told CNN. “They thought it was really supportive and sweet.”
Elijah was likely the happiest kid in the room — thrilled that his mom was willing to go to such lengths to make him feel comfortable on a day that would have otherwise been a bit of a bummer.
Vasquez posted pictures of her “dad” day on her Facebook account, and those photos have since gone viral — as of Wednesday morning, they’d inspired about 17,000 reactions, 6,000 shares and hundreds of comments. “I know seeing other dads with their kids isn’t easy for mine, but it’s life,” she wrote. “At least I can do whatever it takes to put a smile on that face, so here it goes.”
Vasquez told CNN she’s been receiving messages of support and encouragement from other single parents across the globe.
“We don’t know each other but know that I’m a momma just like you, and I’m so proud of you,” one commenter wrote. “Don’t ever let anyone bring you down. Know your worth!”
Vasquez, who has two younger sons as well, told ABC News she doesn’t intend to retire the mustache any time soon, especially after seeing how happy it made Elijah.
“My three boys are my loves, and I hope I can raise them to be amazing men, fathers and husbands even without a father figure example for them,” she said.
