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Sunday was the first Father’s Day since Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September last year.
And his widow, Erika Kirk, marked the occasion with a heart-wrenching tribute to the late father-of-two.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Erika reflected on the pain of celebrating the holidays without Charlie, while also honoring the legacy he left for their two young children.
“Happy Father’s Day to the best dad,” she wrote alongside family photos and videos featuring Charlie with their daughter and son.
She went on to say that she was “still writing you your letter,” suggesting that this was an annual Father’s Day tradition in the Kirk family.
“They miss you. I miss you. I just can’t stop thanking you, endlessly today. Thank you for loving us so much. Thank you for making me a wife and a mother,” Erika wrote, adding:
“Thank you for our two precious babies who carry pieces of you with them. Thank you for all the times you have prayed over our family.
“Thank you for living your life in such a way as to be an incredible example to other fathers. Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made. You will forever be an extraordinary father. Forever.
“Today in our hearts we celebrate you as your favorite TPUSA AmFest 2024 walkout.
“You would always say more fog, more sparklers, more bass and then the next time with the babies in our arms walking off the stage. Our love was integral and will remain so.”
The post quickly attracted an outpouring of support from supporters, many of whom offered prayers and words of encouragement as the family continues to navigate an unimaginable loss.
Charlie’s death shocked supporters across the country, leaving Erika to raise the couple’s two children on her own.
Since then, Erika has often used social media to share memories of her husband while documenting her family’s grieving process.
She has also spoken publicly about the difficulty of moving on without the man she once described as “the love of my life.”
Despite the heartbreak, Erika has repeatedly emphasized her faith and her determination to preserve Charlie’s memory for their children. After his death she stepped in a leadership role at Turning Point USA and vowed to continue the work that meant so much to her husband.
Father’s Day served as another painful reminder of what the family has lost, but it was also a celebration of what remains.
Through photographs, memories and stories shared with their children, Erika made it clear that Charlie’s presence continues to be felt long after his passing.
And while this first Father’s Day without him was undoubtedly difficult, she seems determined to make sure her children never forget the father who loved them so much.
