Mike Girardi received the shirt as a Christmas gift in 1988
Maggie Timblin and her brothers have a cherished tradition of watching their VHS home movies.
However, after years of viewing the tapes repeatedly, the Winchester, Virginia, native, now 32, noticed something quite remarkable: In over half of the videos featuring her dad, Mike Girardi, 59, he’s wearing the same green and black L.L.Bean shirt.
The patterned shirt has a special meaning to Girardi as it was a Christmas gift from Timblin’s grandparents to her dad back in 1988.
“It was a sweet realization that while we were always in new outfits, our dear dad was consistently sporting the same few outfits over the years,” Timblin shares.
“We are filming home movies again, since the birth of my own son, and I realize my dad is wearing that shirt in these movies with our new generation,” she continues.
The stay-at-home mom recalls numerous memories of her dad wearing the shirt throughout the years, from apple picking to Thanksgiving gatherings with relatives. Her dad also has a tradition of wearing the shirt on her and her two brothers’ birthdays.
She even notes how he wore it on the day of her birth.
“I, of course, don’t remember that day, but we have a VHS home movie from the day I was born, and my dad is holding me while wearing the shirt,” she says.
As Timblin reminisces, she also recalls how when she was younger, the shirt appeared to be made of “thick, sturdy fabric.” Yet, now, she realizes how the material has changed over the years, softened by countless hugs. Even so, she says, the thought of giving it away has never crossed her dad’s mind.
The corner of the chest pocket bears a slight tear, a testament to the Parker pen that her dad carried in his pocket while in the Marine Corps.
“He wanted to always be prepared for anything, including always having a pen,” she says.
Recently, Timblin had the idea to create a video on TikTok about her dad and his cherished button down. To her surprise, the video went viral, garnering over 932,000 views.
“My dad’s L.L.Bean shirt has truly stood the test of time through years of adventures,” she says. “That green L.L.Bean shirt holds my whole childhood, in a way. I never thought so many people would see the video and be able to relate in their own way.”
“We’ve loved reading the comments about others who remember their parent wearing a special shirt, hat, etc., that means just as much to them!”
Shortly after posting, Timblin received a direct message on TikTok from the brand, expressing how heartwarming the video was and their desire to contribute to “help keep your family traditions going.”
“My dad couldn’t believe it!” Timblin says, adding how L.L.Bean sent a handwritten letter and a generous gift card.
“My dad is very excited to pick out a few new shirts as well as a matching one for his grandson,” she says.
