Teachers often leave a mark on their students. That was certainly the case in Texas, where a teacher was shocked to discover that a female student had gotten his private, handwritten message tattooed on her arm. And, luckily for us, the big reveal was caught on camera.
When Hannah Long was struggling with depression as a high school student in Leander, Texas, she became increasingly grateful for one of her teachers. The educator, identified as Mr. Stephens, had left such a mark on Hannah that she eventually decided to get a tattoo as a “testament to the life-changing support and guidance she received during a tumultuous period,” according to BBN.
After receiving the eternal ink on her arm, Hannah, who had since become a former student, returned to the school to surprise Mr. Stephens by showing him the way she had chosen to remember him and his impact on her forever. After entering the classroom, Hannah asked Mr. Stephens if he wanted to see her new tattoo. After confirming that he did, Hannah rolled up the sleeve of her pink sweatshirt.
On her right forearm was the new tattoo, which consisted of four inspirational words that Mr. Stephens had once shared with Hannah in a handwritten note to his student while she was “going through a hard time.” Not only was the tattoo of Mr. Stephens’ message, it was even in the educator’s handwriting. So, what was the message Hannah wanted to remember forever? “Be fearless in life,” read the tattoo, which was inspired by the handwritten note Hannah had received from Mr. Stephens.
The big reveal, which was captured on camera, shocked Stephens, who was nearly moved to tears. In the clip, you can see that Mr. Stephens was taken aback, and then Hannah dropped the real bomb on him, saying, “That’s your handwriting.” In response, Mr. Stephens joked that he would have written the note in perfect handwriting had he known she was going to get it permanently tattooed on her body.
As the video quickly began to go viral, Hannah Long explained that she wanted the tattoo because she would be forever grateful for the encouraging words Mr. Stephens had shared with her in his note, which helped to pull her out of depression. She further explained that the educator was there for her when she was going through hard times, living in a broken household, according to Storyful.
“He is the teacher who pulled me out of my depression and was there for me when I was living in a broken household,” Hannah Long said.
As the clip made its rounds on social media, viewers were quick to comment, applauding both Hannah Long and Mr. Stephens for the positive impact they most definitely had on one another. “You validate his life’s work. You will be what he thinks of on rough days,” a TikTok user commented, according to the NY Post.
“This is such a beautiful moment. I’ve had few teachers like this. They are worth everything in our lives,” another wrote, according to the news outlet. Indeed, this story is a reminder to all educators everywhere just how impactful they can be. A simple message is now one young woman’s lifelong mantra, proving the profound influence educators can wield over their students. As Hannah Long and Mr. Stephens prove, teachers are capable of providing solace, strength, and courage while promoting resilience.
Educators undoubtedly hold lasting influence over the lives they touch, especially when they decide to make a lasting connection with their students. Hopefully, this heartwarming display of influence and inspiration continues to spread far and wide, encouraging teachers to remember that they aren’t just educators. They are also mentors in the lives of their students, and they may be a child or teen’s only beacon of hope in an otherwise overwhelming world. Educator-student relationships are significant, extending beyond the classroom, and that should never be forgotten.
