So it’s the day for my 12 year old to get her braces. I happen to have the day off, and she asked if she could miss school, instead of just going for the first half, then having to get her braces.
I of course obliged, and told her that we could make an adventure out of it. Decided to take her to Busch Gardens. Just her and me.
We get to our first roller coaster, and Bella suggests that I record with my Meta glasses. Had no idea what was about to ensue.
We get through the first launch, hit the turn, I’m being way over exaggerated with my antics, because I knew we were recording. We get launched up a 60ft bank, I’m still just fucking around, and I feel my phone slip out of my pocket, come into my range of vision, and before I could register what just happened, the phone was gone…
I was immediately terrified that the phone may have hit someone. I try keeping it together, for multiple reasons. 1. My 12 year old is next to me, hysterically laughing, and I don’t want her to know that I’m terrified that I may have seriously just injured someone. 2. I’ve learned not to
fret over shit you can’t control. I was currently strapped into a roller coaster, and what had happened, had already happened. I needed to stay composed…
The ride comes to an end, and no bullshit, they have us strapped in, and don’t let anyone out. Bella looks at me and says “dad, is it because of your phone?”
Me: “Naw Bella, I’m sure it’s just some technical issue…”
Y’all… I was so terrified that I hurt a person, or even worse, a kid. I later joked with Bella that I wasn’t just concerned with it hitting a person, but what if it had taken out one of the penguins?…
When I tell y’all we had so many bonding moments over this…lol
So after about 10 to 15 minutes, they let us off the ride, manually. The delay had nothing to do with my phone. Just my kind of luck…lol
We go to where I know the phone fell. I don’t see any people with gaping holes in their heads. So that’s a good sign. I use my watch to try and locate the phone, and it’s behaving like the phone isn’t in range.
I figure the phone is shattered in a million pieces somewhere, and honestly, I’m just so relieved no one was hurt, that I really don’t give a fuck about the phone itself. That’s replaceable.
This is where the bonding moments came… I kind of let out a sigh of relief and recognition. Relief that no one is hurt, and recognizing that I gotta get a new phone.
Bella says: “dad, we can go if you want. That sucks you lost your phone, and I totally get it if you wanna go…”
I replied: “baby girl… It’s just a phone… How often do we get to skip school together and ride roller coasters? We can worry about the phone later, let’s go ride some more rides…”
Bella: “ You really mean that dad, or are you just trying to do what you do so I don’t worry? I know phones are expensive, and that’s some really shitty luck. It literally just slid out of your pocket…”
Me: “Thing about your dad Bella. Yeah. It may appear I have some unfortunate luck at times. Like the time some kids pulled a stop sign out of the ground. Lil ole me was just working, delivering some pizzas, and I got t-boned out of nowhere… because of the missing stop sign. But your dad also has the most amazing luck ever too. I mean, I did get you as my daughter…”
She gives me a huge hug, and we start walking towards another coaster.
Bella: “ dad, what were you most scared of when you saw your phone fly away?”
Me: “my immediate thought was that it might hit a person, or worse a kid. Then I got really scared when I thought about the near by penguins…”
She busted out laughing, and even though I was annoyed that I lost my phone, in that moment, I felt so blessed. My daughter and me were having a day, and she still had to get her braces later…
As we’re walking out the park, I kinda say to Bella: “Hey, I’m just gunna fill out a report at the lost and found. Just in case…”
She goes: “Yeah, that’s a good idea…”
As soon as I walk up to the window, I hear my phone
From my experience, days like these highlight that sometimes, the unexpected mishaps become the most memorable parts of our lives. Losing a phone on a roller coaster isn’t just about the inconvenience or the cost — it’s about how moments of panic and laughter bring us closer to loved ones. I remember once similar to this, I was at an amusement park with my own child, and the mix of thrills and little disasters painted a perfect picture of family adventure. What stood out most wasn’t the lost items or hiccups, but the conversations and genuine connection that followed. It’s incredible how a simple accident can lead to such sincere moments of care, trust, and humor. Using technology like Meta glasses to record added an extra layer of excitement but also unpredictability. Losing the phone made me realize how attached we are to our devices, yet how fleeting these possessions can be. The real treasure is sharing joy with those we love — like skipping school together, riding roller coasters, or just being present in those funny, stressful seconds. For parents considering making a special day with their kids, I recommend embracing imperfections and focusing on togetherness. When mishaps happen, try to stay calm and turn it into an opportunity to build resilience and positive memories. It’s those authentic moments—like worrying about a phone flying off but ending up laughing together—that stick with us. And as the hashtag from the story suggests, #dadssupportingdads, there’s a unique strength in sharing these parenting highs and lows. It’s okay to have bad luck — it’s often the backdrop for great stories and bonding. So go ahead, make those spontaneous adventures, capture what you can, and don’t sweat the small stuff. The day’s connection beats any lost phone every time.
