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Dad's Post About His 'DQ Tradition' With His Sons Captures What It's Like To See Your Kids Grow Up

Many parents have traditions with their kids that hold close to their hearts. Some start from childhood and continue to grow over time as kids grow up.

Eventually, parents have to face the facts.

Unsplash | John-Mark Smith

While traditions are sweet and touching, they will change over time as kids grow up. Eventually, kids go to college and move out.

Traditions change and sometimes become "old."

Unsplash | Esther Ann

When your kids grow up and move out, it's hard to keep up with the same traditions you had when they were kids.

One dad named Bud recently shared the story of his tradition with his three sons.

Twitter l @BrooksBarber

Bud and his three sons would head to Dairy Queen once a week to spend some quality time together over ice cream.

One by one, they began to move on.

Instagram l @brandt727

The dad said they would sit at the same table once a week and order from the "same old lady." But soon, the oldest son, Brooks, went to college.

But, Bud still went with his other two boys.

Instagram l @brandt727

Knowing that their time together would also come to an end, eventually.

He said they would "head to college, too."

Instagram l @brandt727

He knew deep down what it would mean when all three of his boys went away to school.

"And then there was 1."

Instagram l @brandt727

With all three of his sons off to school, Bud shared this picture of himself at DQ continuing the tradition.

Bud's caption was so touching.

Instagram l @brandt727

He pointed out that it was "never just about the ice cream." But, instead, it was about those special moments spent in DQ watching his boys interact as brothers while having ice cream.

Brooks saw the photos on Instagram and got emotional.

He said:

"Why am I crying in Nashville right now?"

I mean, we're crying too.

In fact, it seems that all of Twitter had a very emotional reaction to this story.

Tears on my keyboard as I write this. Seriously.

It's safe to say that Bud's weekly tradition is now a viral hit thanks to Brooks sharing it on Twitter.

Unsplash | freestocks.org

Since sharing the pictures on Twitter, Brooks' tweet has nearly one million likes and thousands of comments.

Many people on Twitter told Brooks he needed to book a DQ date with his dad and brothers ASAP.

Please let this tradition continue forever!

To appease the Twitter comments, Brooks shared that he would be living the tradition all over again soon.

He claimed that he and his little brothers would, "be heading back to DQ with pops soon." So sweet.

Brooks' tweet also prompted other parents to share the weekly traditions they have with their kids.

This mom shared that her family hits up Waffle House after ballgames. Cute!

Waffles, ice cream, frozen yogurt — the treat isn't even the best part.

What these parents cherish is the time they spend with their kids.

And it looks like Bud isn't the first dad to pick DQ as the place to be.

Is there anything more wholesome than seeing dads spending time with their kids?

For some dads, Bud's story was a reminder that soon they'll be in his shoes.

Watching your children grow up and move out is truly bittersweet.

And other Twitter users are sure that this tradition will never die.

I think this family will keep up their tradition for years to come.

It just goes to show you, parents care more than they let on.

Unsplash | Jason Leung

Even the smallest things — like getting ice cream — means more to them than they'll ever let you know.

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