(This story is entirely fictional, but the part about my dad getting the fortune he got is entirely true.)

Last Friday night, my dad and I ate dinner at our local Chinese restaurant. I ordered Kung Pao chicken with fried rice, and he ordered Szechuan beef with fried rice. Although our Chinese food always tastes delicious, our favorite part is seeing what awaits us once we open our fortune cookies after dinner. My dad and I always take the fortunes we get way too seriously because we believe whatever they say will happen.

My dad’s last fortune said, “Many opportunities are open to you—work a little harder.” My dad has always been the hardest-working person I’ve ever met, so when he was given that fortune, we were both shocked. I told him, “Dad, you and I both know that you already work your hardest, so there probably isn’t any need to take your fortune that seriously.” He replied, “Yeah, you’re right.”

After a moment, my dad laughed and put the fortune in his wallet, as always. It was his ritual to keep the fortunes as little reminders, no matter how much we believed in them.

Then it was my turn. I cracked open my cookie and pulled out the tiny slip of paper. The words printed on it made my heart skip a beat: “Life is full of storms.  Brace for them and be happy.”

“Whoa,” I said, showing my dad. “What do you think this means?”

He leaned back in his chair, a surprised look crossing his face. “Well, it could mean anything. Maybe something big is going to happen to you.”

We finished our tea and left the restaurant, the cool night air greeting us as we walked to the car. The ride home was filled with our usual banter, but my mind drifted back to the fortune. What could it possibly mean?

The next few days passed uneventfully, and the fortune cookie prediction began to fade from my thoughts. My dad continued his usual routine, waking up early, working hard at his job, and spending evenings with me, always making time to ask about my day.

One Saturday morning, my dad surprised me with tickets to a local theater production of The Diary of Anne Frank. My dad enjoyed seeing live theater with me because we both enjoyed immersing ourselves in the arts and spending time together. Excited by the idea of a cultural outing, I eagerly accepted, and we set off later that evening.

As we found our seats, the theater was bustling with anticipation. The lights dimmed, and the performance began. The actors were captivating, drawing us into the story with their skillful performances. Throughout the play, my dad and I exchanged whispered comments about what we were enjoying.

We discussed our favorite scenes during intermission and speculated on how the story would end. It was a joy to share this experience with him because I don’t know many dads who would take their daughters to see live plays, let alone a musical.

As the final act unfolded, emotions ran high. The dramatic conclusion left us both reflective and moved. As we exited the theater, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of connection with my dad, our shared experience deepening our understanding of each other.

On the drive home, the words from my fortune cookie came back to me: “Life is full of storms. Brace for them and be happy.” The play had been a journey of emotions—a reminder that life’s challenges and joys were intertwined. Despite any uncertainties, I knew that with my dad by my side, we could navigate whatever storms came our way.

“Thanks for taking me to the play, Dad,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence in the car.

He smiled warmly. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. These moments are important—to experience art, share thoughts, and be together.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. As we arrived home, I realized that while we don’t always have everything in common, these cultural outings were our way of exploring and connecting, finding joy in shared interests and moments of reflection.

This was written by our co-founder and editor-in-chief, Hanna Perry.