Nothing tugs at the heart quite like a tender father-daughter moment.
That was on full display when Ahava Salon and Spa in Appleton, Wisc., shared a TikTok video from a recent special event. In the clip, posted on Thursday, Nov. 13, the camera moves through the salon as fathers practice styling their daughters’ hair.
The dads are shown brushing, braiding and trying out other styles while their daughters sit happily in the chairs in front of them.
“We know love exists because this is the turn out of our ‘Daddy Daughter Styling Class,'” the caption reads.
With more than 5 million views, the video clearly resonated. The comments section quickly filled with emotional reactions.
“This video got blurry about 4 secs in 😩,” one user joked through tears.
“Crying at school this is so sweet,” another wrote.
A third added, “Willing daughters AND present fathers 😭what a blessing.”
Molly Simons, Ahava Salon’s marketing and social media manager, says the event was the first of its kind for the business.
“The class was a part of our annual Customer Appreciation Week, where we give back to our guests through product deals, door busters and staff-led classes,” she explains. The class cost $25 to reserve a spot, but that amount could be used toward product purchases in the salon.
The event, held on Wednesday, Nov. 12, was led by one of Ahava’s stylists, Randy.
“During the class, Randy went around to the fathers and daughters at different stations and coached them on simple hairstyles, from simple ponytails to different styles of braids,” Simons recalls. “Randy did a phenomenal job leading — he created such a welcoming, upbeat atmosphere.”
According to Simons, the dads were “fully engaged and genuinely eager to learn,” while their daughters were “simply overjoyed to spend that quality time together.”
“Some of the little girls were literally twirling out the door — they were that happy,” she says.
Simons adds that by the end of the evening, “everyone was already asking when the next class would be.”
Because of the enthusiastic response, the salon plans to host another father-daughter styling event on Jan. 16.
The reaction online has been just as powerful.
“The response on social media has blown us away,” Simons says. “I think the reason we had such a wonderful reaction was because it was something we can all relate to. So many of the comments were moving and heartfelt — people shared stories about fathers who had passed away, the absence of a father figure, the realities of single parenthood, or simply wishing they’d had more bonding time with their dad when they were younger.”
She continues, “Social media and content creation are ultimately about storytelling. And right now, more than ever, people are craving stories that offer hope — for society, and for future generations.”
