To make the surprise authentic, the siblings woke up early and arrived at their parents’ house at 6 a.m. with their backpacks, ready for one last ride together. They even prepared a playlist featuring songs they used to listen to in their dad’s car, including “Hey Ya” by Outkast, which had once been played on repeat for months. Along the way, they stopped at their favorite bagel shop, House of Bagels, just as they used to before school. Upon arriving at Saint Francis High School, they parked in their usual spot and sent their dad off with his signature farewell line from The Princess Bride: “Have fun storming the castle.”
Tim Houlihan had dedicated over four decades to the school in various roles, including math teacher, bus driver, athletic director, and construction manager. His final major project at the school was a new building that he proudly showed his children on his last day. Many colleagues and students came to congratulate him and express their appreciation for his years of service, with some even getting emotional as they said their goodbyes. His impact on the school community was evident in the heartfelt responses he received.
Now a father himself, Matt Houlihan cherishes these memories even more, realizing how special those car rides with his dad truly were. He has continued the tradition by using his dad’s farewell phrase when dropping off his own daughters at school. The Houlihan siblings captured their father’s final day on video and shared it on TikTok, celebrating not only his retirement but also the deep bond they share as a family.
