‘It’s finally really happening!' Single dad spends 3 years living in a motel with his kids then finally gets the win he deserves, saluting the kindhearted landlord who gave him a chance to be a good tenant

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Mar 21, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

A good parent will do just about anything to protect their family. And when it came down to the wire for the man in this next story, he would stop at nothing to give his kiddos a better life—even when prospects seemed bleak. 

Perseverance is an admirable quality. While it's always simpler to give up and throw in the towel, hanging in there and working hard (the honest way), can feel impossible. In my last year of college, I had no money. My parents had no money, I worked two jobs to pay for school, and my housing plan had just fallen through. Things weren't looking good for my senior year of university, and I thought for sure I'd have to drop out and move somewhere cheaper. Instead, I stayed plugged in on campus, slept on couches, at work, and in my professor's office for a month until I found a random stranger who listed their garage for rent as a 'studio.' It wasn't much, but I was beyond thrilled! Securing that cramped, dank studio was such a colosal win, and put the wind back in my sails when I'd contemplated giving up. 

Sometimes all you need is a win and a landlord who trusts you'll pay rent on time and be a good tenant, which is exactly what the single dad in this next story experienced first-hand.

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  • Shout out to the dutiful dad who watched his hard work pay off after spending years living in a motel with his beloved kiddos. Hanging in there and staying positive paid off for him and he finally gets the happy ending he deserves.

  • Cheezburger Image 10482129920
    via ka2shka

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Due to a horrible divorce a few years ago, my kids and i have been living in a motel. I work full time, dont quailfy for food stamps, paying an insane amount of rent and car payments, and
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • kids with medical issues etc made it impossible to find a rental. There was no way to save for the moving cost and down payments etc. BUT. Finally. We found a rental. A realtor who
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • owns a property. Its small, but perfect. My kids can stay in their schools, its close to my work. And its less than this motel room! I inquired about it and thankfully
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • he has a heart and was willing to give me a much needed chance to prove im a good tenant who pays rent on time and im quiet. I dont party. I work, take care of my kids, sleep, then work again.
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • (And im ok with that! My ideal Saturday night is jammies and movies with my babies and a Wednesday sandwhich picnic blowing bubbles etc)
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • We move in 2 days. I havent stopped crying. We have nothing to move with but we are finally moving up. It will all come in time. No furniture, just our clothes. But its happening. Its finally really happening.
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • Mini update: i have to get to bed but i wanted to thank everyone who reached out. I feel more loved here than i ever have. I am already in my local Buy Nothing group and we plan on doing thrift shops as well!
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • I have a lot of calls to make tomorrow because of the numerous comments here with other resources i didnt know existed!!
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • I will for sure update again once we get into the place. We get keys and sign lease tomorrow (Tuesday) tjen move in Wednesday because thats the soonest Delmarva (my electric
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • co) can turn on the power. I cant wait to share everything. I hope to never experience this kind of low again. I know it will be tough with new challenges now but this will work. It has to.
    via NotThatFamousGirl
  • PetrichorFernweh Congratulations! So happy for you and the kiddos. Join your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. You might be able to kit out your apartment with free items.
    via PetrichorFernweh
  • merryone2K Good for you! We're all here to celebrate with you!
    via merryone2K
  • sassygirl101 I am really really happy and excited for you! The landlord deserves a metal and we need more humans like them!
    via sassygirl101
  • soularez Don't know you but I honestly am happy for you, the world is pretty brutal right now and people even close to the margins are being thrust to the other side
    via soularez
  • Dylanneedsanap With spring around the corner check if any nearby cities do a trash day where you can put basically anything on the curb to get grabbed! That's how I've got most of my stuff
    via Dylanneedsanap
  • nomiesmommy Congratulations!! I wish you many happy times with your kiddos in your new home.
    via nomiesmommy

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wholesome family drama dads landlord pleasant famiies drama heartwarming kids brother siblings tenant moms parenting positive dad story family moving sibling sister stories parent mom cousins win parents
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