Man receives $10 from late father on his 21st birthday, to buy his first beer

‘It felt like he was with me, actually drinking a beer with me’

Man buys first legal beer with $10 left for him by late father (Matt Goodman/Twitter)

A 21-year-old has purchased his first beer with a $10 bill left for him by his father, who died nearly six years ago.

In 2015, before John Goodman died of cancer, he gave his daughter Casey Goodman a $10 bill with the promise that she would give it to her brother Matt Goodman when he turned 21 so he could purchase his first beer with the money.

“I know the hardest thing for my dad was the things he was going to miss out on,” Casey told Boston 25. “Anyone who knew my dad knew he was this goofy, larger-than-life of-the-party guy, and my little brother was his entire world.”

To keep the money safe, Casey gave it to her mother, who then put it in an envelope in a safe in her closet, where it stayed for almost six years.

On his 21st birthday on Sunday, Matt was able to fulfil his late father’s wishes when he used the money to purchase a Bud Light – his dad’s favourite.

The 21-year-old, from Taunton, Massachusetts, opened up about the emotional moment on Twitter, where he shared a photo of the $10 bill and a picture of him drinking his beer.

“Almost six years ago before my dad passed he gave my sister this $10 bill to give to me on my 21st birthday so he could buy me my first beer, cheers pops havin this one for you!” Matt captioned the photos.

The tweet, which has since been liked more than 535,000 times, has been met with an outpouring of support on social media, with many sharing their own stories of loss.

“This is so great! My dad passed when I was 13. What I’d give to simply have a beer, watch a game, play cards, or just have a simple conversation with him. But I know he’s in a better place and that makes me happy. Thank you for sharing,” one person responded.

Another said: “I’m so sorry for your loss but this is very sweet. I’m glad your sister held onto it all this time and I hope you enjoyed your first beer. Happy birthday.”

The sentimental post also prompted a response from the official Budweiser Twitter account, which tweeted: “We're raising one to your pops, Matt. He got your first beer and the next one's on us.”

In a follow-up tweet, Matt revealed that the company sent him eight cases of beer. “Thanks @budweiserusa I think I got my next few beers taken care of!!!” he captioned a photo of the gift.

Matt has also received countless requests for his Venmo so that people can send him gifts. However, he has asked that donations instead be sent to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, where his father received treatment. 

“Appreciate all of you asking for my Venmo, but instead if you wanted to send money feel free to donate any amount to Dana Farber. They did a lot for my dad so that would be much appreciated!” he wrote.

As for how it felt to enjoy his father’s birthday present, Matt told Boston 25 it felt like his dad was with him.

“It was pretty awesome, actually. It felt like he was with me through that whole thing. It felt like he was with me actually drinking a beer with me,” Matt said.