A dad who inspired his family with his fight against cancer was given a beautiful surprise when he discovered his newborn grandson had been named after him.
Couple Lindsey and Andrew Pelzl had always wanted to name their child after Andrew’s father, William “Bill” Anthony Pelzl, 63, from the Bay Area in San Francisco, California.
When the couple discovered the news that they were set to welcome a boy, they were over the moon at the prospect of planning their naming surprise.
But during Lindsey’s pregnancy, Bill received news he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Watching her father-in-law’s inspiring fight against the illness made the naming surprise even more important, Lindsey, 28, said, and so she and her husband decided to keep it a secret until after their son was born.
At Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City, Bill entered Lindsey and Andrew’s hospital ward, where Lindsey had a video recording on her cellphone.
Bill approached the crib where his newborn grandson was sleeping, a huge smile beaming across his face.
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Then, as he read the name tag and name written on the youngster’s blanket – Jaxxon Anthony Pelzl – the emotion of the moment began to hit the 63-year-old.
Knowing he and his grandson now share the name Anthony was a huge shock for Bill, who then headed towards Andrew, 29, for an emotional hug, tears welling in his eyes.
Lindsey shared her video of the moment on social media a few months later, where it soon went viral, and viewers praised the couple for a beautiful surprise.
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Lindsey said: “We always knew we were going to surprise him, but finding out his diagnosis made it all the more special.
“We hoped that him knowing Jaxxon was named after him would give him more purpose to fight.
“It was such an emotional day all around this moment, something I was looking forward to my entire pregnancy.
“It’s wild to see how a video I thought was just special to me and my family has been special to so many others.
“I could’ve never thought that the response would be so positive and uplifting, with people sharing their stories of similar things.
“I am so glad that this video has touched so many people and it truly warmed my heart, knowing that so many people were invested in my father-in-law’s story and were giving him thoughts and prayers to fight.
“It was truly so special.”