When Bridgette Edwards started high school, she was still grieving her late dad — then one teacher stepped in and became a father figure in her life.
When Bridgette Edwards walked into high school as a grieving teen, she never imagined her favorite teacher would one day become the father figure she’d carry with her — literally — for life.
At 18 years old, Edwards shared a TikTok video revealing a tattoo of a handwritten note from her teacher, Karl Turk, whom she says stepped in as the father figure she lost years before. His emotional response touched the hearts of millions.
@b1sab1tch forever will be grateful for him and what he has taught me in life, with so much more to come. ❤️ now he’s gonna be apart of me forever and is stuck with me haha <3 #fypシ #foryoupage #tattoo #suprise #teacher #teacherlove #trending #viral #senioryear #likethis #makemefamous #iloveyou #popular #grateful ♬ Constellations – Duster
“When I was around 11, my father passed away,” Edwards tells PEOPLE. “Then when I got into high school, Mr. Karl Turk shared a lot of attributes that my father had.”
With an emotional steadiness beyond her years, Edwards explains how their connection grew. “They have the same name, his daughter has the same last name as me, and he’s the same age as my dad was,” she says. “He really reminded me a lot of him.”
Over the course of her high school journey, Mr. Turk became a guiding light as she faced the uncertainties of growing up. “He’s helped me guide the way to becoming a professional person and learning the ways of adulthood,” she says.
As their bond deepened, Edwards found herself looking to Mr. Turk in moments of doubt, heartache and growth. “Since I didn’t really have that father figure in my life, he definitely took that place,” she explains.
To honor the role he played in her life, Edwards made a permanent tribute. “Words will never express how he helped my life out,” she says. “So I decided to put his words on my body so I always knew he’d be there — and he’d always know I’d be a part of him, because now he’s stuck with me … literally”
The tattoo, written in Mr. Turk’s own handwriting, sits on her back and carries a message that grounds her. It reads: “Know that worrying is paying on a debt you don’t even owe, for those the worry say, ‘you only live once,’ but you Bridgette, will only die once yet live everyday. Karl”
Edwards says the words came at a time when she needed them most. “I was going through a tough time with my boyfriend, feeling really depressed, and dealing with school testing and other things,” she recalls.
Looking for strength, she turned to the one person she trusted. “I asked him to write me something I’d remember for the rest of my life,” she says. “He wrote me a bunch of paragraphs, but I chose the part that had both of our names in it.”
The decision to have it tattooed wasn’t impulsive — it was deeply intentional. “I’m a big worrier,” she says. “Now when I get anxious, I just rub my shoulder and remind myself it’s going to be okay.”
The moment she revealed the tattoo to Mr. Turk was one she’ll never forget. “It was definitely nerve-racking because he had no idea that I was doing it,” she says with a laugh.
Edwards had a friend tape a card to her back and then she approached her teacher in the classroom. “He was like, ‘What is happening? Why is everyone recording me?’ ” she recalls. “Then he saw my shoulder, and he was just flabbergasted.”
As soon as Mr. Turk realized what he was seeing, the emotions came bubbling up. “I started crying immediately, and then he started crying, and it was just a big sob fest,” she says.
Turk was moved beyond words. “In the field of education, for many, Teacher of the Year is often considered to be the highest accolade,” he tells PEOPLE. “While it certainly has its place, the ‘apple’ we’re given for the award changes hands from year to year. Bridgette’s gesture is a permanent testament to me, and I am — and will be — eternally grateful!”
The heartfelt tribute left a deep mark on him, both personally and professionally. “Whereas these awards often go on shelves and collect dust, Bridgette has aspired to be a hero to others,” he says. “Her suggestion that these words that I shared with her will inspire her to do so humbles me.”
Since then, their bond has only grown stronger. “Now I go to Pacers games with him and his family, watch football or basketball, he helps me fill out all my college things, and he’s even going with me to my college scheduling tour,” she shares.
The connection has extended to his family, too. “His daughter, who he adopted, calls me her little sis now,” Edwards says. “So it’s really like a family.”
For Turk, the impact of Edwards’ tribute goes far beyond a viral moment. “Candidly, what she did inspires and energizes me to go about my calling with passion and resiliency,” he says. “Teaching is a trying endeavor and many times the effort to educate isn’t met with value or appreciation.
Her gesture, he says, “reminds me daily that every second and every word truly does matter, can be life-changing, and may matter in ways one could not imagine.”
For Edwards to call him a father figure touched him in a way no professional award ever could. “Parents are the most influential and beloved figures in our lives,” he says.
“To be seen in that light is awe-inspiring,” he continues. “To know that someone sees me as someone that helps fill a void that will never completely be filled leads me to feel that I am succeeding in my calling, and at the same time prompts me to be a better person every day.”
Edwards hopes others can see the power of finding connection in unexpected places, and better appreciate the leaders in their schools. “Teachers are humans too,” she says. “They go home, deal with family issues, have emotions — they’re not always the bad guy. It just depends on your attitude towards them.”