Sweet Way Dad Who Only Had Sons Shows Affection to Daughter-in-Law

A recent viral video capturing the sweet bond between a father-in-law, who is solely a "boy dad" himself, and his daughter-in-law has resonated deeply with millions across the globe.

The video, which has been viewed more than 1.5 million times in seven days, introduced TikTokers to Emma Gilmer's father-in-law and the warm bond that the pair share.

This unexpected father-daughter friendship—which Gilmer cites as being down to her being her father-in-law's only "daughter"—has struck a chord with viewers, illustrating that family connections are not solely defined by blood but can be formed through respect, care, and shared experiences too.

"It's so sweet to see a father-in-law who grew up with only sons get to experience expressing love to daughters," Gilmer, who goes by @emmagilmer on the platform, said.

The content creator had captioned the post: "He's so pure."

What Do the Comments Say?

Since being shared to the social media platform on March 28 by @emmagilmer, the TikTok post has been liked by more than 305,000 users and commented on more than 500 times.

Some TikTokers have resonated with Gilmer and have opened up about their own memorable father-in-law relationships.

"My boyfriends dad introduced me at dinner on vacation and said 'but my son will probably have a different girlfriend next vacation' he thought it was funny," one user, who goes by @spagedaa on TikTok, wrote.

Another user, @kylieconway1, added: "Me ex's dad was this way and I miss that man EVERYDAY."

'Boundaries Are Key'

Similarly tearjerking stories are constantly emerging across social media. Some showcase fathers-in-law and daughters-in-law cooking together while others document their adventurous outings—each video gives a glimpse into the dynamics of modern family life. The viral success of such videos underscores the universal craving for content that uplifts and unites.

The relationship between this father-in-law and his daughter-in-law, celebrated by the internet, serves as a poignant reminder of the beautiful, unexpected bonds that can form within families. But if you're not having as much luck as Gilmer had in exchanging pleasantries with your in-laws, there are a few things that you can do to help bridge any gaps.

The University of Florida's Department of Family, Youth and Community Services regularly publishes literature and produces workshops for its SMART Couples project, a federal grant project that has been designed to strengthen marriages and families in the community and beyond.

Contributors to SMART Couples' online site shared that, contrary to the popular belief that it's best to spend as much time together as possible, boundaries are key to establishing any healthy in-law or cross-generational relationship.

"One interesting study found that men who said they were close to their in-laws were 20 percent less likely to divorce, while women who said they were close to their in-laws were actually 20 percent more likely to get divorced," SMART Couples writes.

"While this might seem like it makes no sense, the authors think that when women become close to in-laws, boundaries may get confused. They might feel more vulnerable to criticism or misguided advice from in-laws, who also may be unintentionally encroaching on the relationship."

The research hub adds that women may be more likely to be affected by in-law stress than men. Fortunately, that's far from the case for the social media star.

Newsweek reached out to @emmagilmer for more information via email.

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