Letters from Dad — Mail That’ll Make You Smile (or Cry, in a Good Way)
Why Are These Dads Writing Letters?
Because sometimes, you just need a dad to remind you that you’re doing great, to offer unsolicited life advice, or to tell you a joke so bad you have no choice but to laugh.
Buz started this whole thing after realizing people are craving genuine, heartfelt connection (and, frankly, no one texts back these days). Darren’s the new dad on the team, helping us reach even more people who could use a dad’s words showing up in their mailbox.
Request a Dad Letter (It’s Like a Hug, But on Paper)
If you want a pick-me-up from a dad who writes better letters than he texts, you’re in the right place. Buz or Darren will write you a letter just for you.
Want a letter?
Just tell us what’s going on. We’re talking:
A breakup
A new job
Being a human with emotions
Tuesdays, generally
And Buz or Darren will send you a handwritten letter. No strings. No weird upsell. Just a letter from someone who genuinely wants you to be okay. Request Your Letter Here (Free—though coffee money helps us buy stamps!)
Meet Buz
Buz is a Cincinnati native, a proud Denison University grad, and the kind of dad who signs his letters with a doodle, a quote, or both.
He’s been married to his bride, Betsy, for over 40 years and together they raised three kids: John, Annie, and Rosie.
Buz has been writing letters to his kids for as long as they can remember. Camp letters. College letters. Tuesday-morning-just-thinking-about-you letters. Some funny. Some deep. All filled with heart. Over the years, his writing spilled over to friends, neighbors, even strangers — anyone who needed a reminder that they matter.
He’s a recent PhD graduate at age 67 (proof that it’s never too late), and when he’s not writing, you can find him splitting firewood, chasing after his two extremely naughty Westies (Pearl and Piper), laughing at his own jokes, or enjoying the peace of northern Michigan.
More than anything, Buz just loves being a dad. He’s good at it. And now, he wants to be a little bit of a dad to you, too — one handwritten letter at a time.
Meet Darren
Darren is a lifelong Michigander, a Dad, and a recent retiree after a 40+ year long career. Here’s the catch: Darren’s not really the “retirement” type, so he spends his time finding projects that help him do all of his favorite things. He couldn’t believe his luck when Buz & Rosie offered him the opportunity to write Dad Letters. He already knows his morning letter writing hour is going to be his favorite part of the day.
Darren will be the first to tell you his wife, Bridget, of 35+ years has all the brains. He’ll then tell you their two kids, Graeme and Mara, grew up to have big brains too.
Darren has always been the Lunch Box Note kind of dad - short, sweet and perfectly timed for when his kids were having a rough day or when he could just tell they needed an extra pep in their step. Darren is always finding ways to coach, mentor and celebrate people. He’s got a pretty wide-ranging track record so far: employees, soccer players, entrepreneurs, sailors, scuba divers, his kids, the list goes on. It was never about the job, the soccer, the sailing, the scuba - it was always about noticing what makes each person so special and never, ever letting them forget it. He’d probably give them a business book rec along the way, too.
Dad Letters are new to Darren, but Darren’s ready to scale his Lunch Box Notes to follow along with Buz, Rosie and you on this Dad Letter Project journey. He’s very proud of a lot of people and he can’t wait to discover why he’s proud of you, too.
Disclaimer: Important Information
The Dad Letter Project is a volunteer-based initiative where kind-hearted dads write letters to people who could use a little encouragement, a funny story, or just a reminder that someone out there cares.
While our dads love being dads and are here to share positivity, please know they are not licensed therapists, counselors, or mental health professionals. The letters are not a substitute for professional mental health support, therapy, or crisis intervention.
If you are in need of mental health support, please consider reaching out to these resources that are better equipped to help:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (free, 24/7 support)
International Helplines: https://www.befrienders.org
All letters are written with kindness and good intent, but The Dad Letter Project, its volunteers, and its organizers are not responsible for how messages are interpreted.
By requesting a letter, you acknowledge that this is a volunteer-run project and letters are sent as personal gestures, not as professional advice, guidance, or counseling.
We do not collect or share sensitive personal information beyond what you choose to submit in your request.
The content of the letters is not reviewed by licensed professionals and should not be considered therapeutic or diagnostic.
Legal & Liability Disclaimers
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