Woman who texted late father's phone for four years receives heartwarming reply from new owner

'I have wanted to text you back for years, but I didn't want to break your heart'

Campaigner says there is still no national obligation or policy to ensure procedures at universities are in place for those who have experienced rape or sexual abuse (iStock)

A woman who sent text messages to her late father’s mobile phone number every day has received a reply from its new owner four years after his death.

On Thursday, Chastity Patterson from Arkansas sent a message to her father’s old phone number to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing.

"Hey Dad, it's ME. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day again!", Patterson wrote, not expecting an answer.

Patterson continued the message by telling her father she loved him and recapping some of the biggest moments in her life, including graduating from college, falling in love and even beating cancer.

Then, in an unexpected turn of events, Patterson received a reply, leading to an exchange that has since gone viral online.

The text was from a man called Brad who said he had been reading the 23-year-old’s messages for the past four years.

The stranger added that he lost his own daughter in a car accident in 2014 and that he saw Patterson’s texts as a “message from God”.

“I'm sorry you lost someone so close to you, but I have listened to you over the years and I have watched you grow and go through more than anyone. I have wanted to text you back for years, but I didn't want to break your heart,” he wrote.

Brad went on to praise Patterson for her growth, calling her his own “angel” and reminding her that her father would be proud of everything she has achieved.

“You are an extraordinary woman and I wish my daughter would have become the woman you are,” he concluded.

“Take care and I look forward to your updates tomorrow.”

Patterson decided to share the exchange on Facebook where it quickly went viral, amassing more than 284,000 shares in just three days.

“I text my dad every day to let him know how my day goes, for the past four years!” Patterson captioned the post.

“Today was my sign that everything is okay and I can let him rest!”

After her post captured the attention of thousands of social media users, Patterson shared an update explaining that her dad, Jason Ligons, was not her biological father but the man who had looked after her since she was a child.

“He never missed a school dance, prom, my games and YES he would give me long talks about my mouth and attitude. I had to introduce my boyfriends to him (If I was allowed to date) and he would act like a normal dad and give us the long talk,” Patterson wrote.

“I've cried with him, told him everything and even became very independent because he took the time to love me and show me what happiness looks like.

“I shared my messages for my friends and family to see that there is a God and it might take four years, but he shows up right on time!"