The moment when a widowed dad says goodbye to his son ahead of a vacation has left internet viewers in tears.
Bending down on one knee, Taylor Odlozil (@taylorodlozil) can be seen handing a letter to his 5-year-old son Weston before flying from Texas to Italy for his friend's wedding.
Odlozil, from The Woodlands, has shared the tearjerking letter with Newsweek that highlights how much he adores his son. An extract from it reads: "There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing and being with you."
The caption adds that it is the first trip Odlozil has been on without his late wife, Haley, 30, who died from ovarian cancer last year.
The grieving dad is spending a week in Italy, and this is the longest time that Odlozil and his son have ever been apart.
"I made a promise to Haley [that] I would live life to the fullest," he wrote in his TikTok caption.
Odlozil told Newsweek: "I try to say yes to every opportunity that comes my way. I want to make sure I have no regrets when I'm on my deathbed. Typically, when you say, 'I'll have plenty of time to do that trip or some experience later in life,' it won't actually happen.
"You have to do it now! Don't wait to live; live now," he added.
Odlozil ends the letter by saying: "You are the best son a father could ask for. I hope you are having a great time with your grandparents. I know for a fact they love you as much as I do."
Before setting off on April 17, Odlozil uploaded the now-viral video that has amassed more than 1.4 million views and over 203,000 likes.
In the caption, he describes his son as his "security blanket" and says he began to miss him before they even parted ways. The preschooler can be seen standing in front of his dad before they give one another a big hug.
The emotional clip has reduced many to tears, and almost 2,000 users have commented on the video, many of whom are encouraging the dad to have a good time.
"You are exactly right! You have to keep pushing forward to get [through] grief.. it's an unexpected and unwelcomed journey, but also allows us to understand compassion," commented one user.
Another wrote: "The week will go by fast daddy. He's in good hands and knows you love him so much and he loves you so much. You need some Taylor time. Try to enjoy as much as you can. Safe travels."
"Taylor through the most heart wrenching loss that has come to your family he's so blessed your such an amazing daddy. You need to spread your wings as well don't ever feel guilt," posted a third commenter.
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Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more
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