A Dad and Daughter’s Recreation of The Same Photo for 35 Years is Absolutely Heartwarming

As parents, we watch our kids grow up fast with equal parts joy and longing. Once in a lifetime, children are dependent on their parents, hugging them whenever they’re sad, clinging onto them when the pains of growing up become too much to bear. Then, in a snap, everything changes. In the blink of an eye, they’re already adults, moving under their own steam, with their own lives and responsibilities. That’s why parents are always trying to capture as many memories as they can, so that they’ll have something to remember their children by once they fly the nest.

Hua Yunqing decided to have this photo taken while they were on holiday in Zhenjiang, China. This is the photo that gave him the idea to do it once every year, or at least for as many years as he could manage.

Hua Yunqing knew what he wanted to do. He was ready to commit to the long-term plan, for the sake of his precious little girl. And so, in 1981, he brought his family back to Zhenjiang for a second time. There he took a photo with a two-year old Hua Hua, on the same spot as before.

Can you spell “dedication”? This is the third year of the family taking their picture together at the same spot. Nothing much has changed. Hua Hua still has that shy smile, but she looks like she’s having a little bit of fun in front of the camera now.

Hua Yunqing is beaming in this photo, and his daughter has a little smile too. Seems like she’s enjoying the vacation.

Hua Hua is now 5 years old, and she’s going to a big school already. The father is in full support of his daughter, and he’s there with her one step at a time. It seems like she’s taking the same pose as her dad. Like father, like daughter, indeed!

The first colored photograph of the father and daughter duo brings us a new perspective to the project. Hua Yunqing must have been working very hard to invest in his new camera. Colored photographs were still an early technology at the time, so expect these photos to be a little hazy.

In this photo, we get to see a different side to Hua Yunqing and Hua Hua. In previous years, this dad and daughter have been wearing casual clothes. but now they’re in their swimwear. We’re guessing this picture was taken before swimming, right?

Hua Hua’s fashion sense improves with each passing year, and it looks like her father is matching her style streak. This is the first time we see him wearing shorts and sporting a casual look, which we really like!

By now, Hua is already nine years old. She’s probably in grade school and having a great time with her new friends. She looks wiser, too. It seems she’s learning a lot at school.

Hua is wearing her famous ruffles again and went back to the bowl cut. Her mom must have cut her hair for the summer, but whatever the reason, Hua always rocks her look.

Hua Yunqing has taken it to the next level. He bought new sunglasses and dropped the casual clothes, seen previously in pictures before. This time around, he seems classy!

A new decade is no reason to stop the tradition. This father and daughter continued to take their photos at Zhenjiang. From stunning matching poses to beaming smiles, everything about this photo is perfect!

This is the era of electronic gadgets. As Hua Hua begins her teenage years, it seems as though she’s getting more and more trendy. With the portable cassette player, earphones, and a not-so-happy expression, she looks like one of those teenagers who’s starting to discover their true self.

Hua Hua is already 14 years old, and she’s grown. She’s almost the same height as her father now. Her pigtails are giving us major cutie vibes.

This year is quite different. This time they decided to take a candid picture in the wind. They are definitely enjoying a cool breeze.

The 16-year-old Hua Hua had just started high school when this photo was taken, meaning that she hadn’t quite yet entered into the world of adolescence. It’s nice to see her still being clingy with her dad.

One thing’s for sure, Hua looks good in everything she wears. This year, she’s decided to wear overalls over a white shirt. Thankfully, she decided against the hat for the photo. Nonetheless, she will always be the adorable Hua Hua that her father loves.

Removing braces is a great relief to all who’ve ever worn them. In this picture, Hua Hua’s smile widened without the extra equipment on her teeth. She also looks happier without them.

This snap of the dad-and-daughter duo is definitely more memorable than to their last. Probably because they took a one-year break from the family tradition, as Hua was busy with her studies. Like many Asian fathers, Hua Yunqing probably wouldn’t have taken exception to this missing year, since school studies are regarded as highly important in every Asian household.

Hua is already 21 years old by this time, while her father is 46. A lot of things might have changed, even Zhenjiang in the background, but the love between father and daughter is still the same.

By this time, Hua Hua is working professionally in her chosen career. It seems like her dad is giving her his support just by looking at their photo here. Hua Yunquing’s smile stays the same. Getting the time to organize a yearly photo is becoming more difficult as both of them are busy with their jobs.

It’s official – high fashion runs in the family. When Hua was still a little kid, her father usually showed off his fashionable side. We can see here that she’s definitely following in her father’s footsteps.

Hua Hua is not the tiny girl who clung to her dad in every picture anymore. She has grown up into an attractive, confident, and passionate looking young woman. She’s looking beautiful in her business outfit. You can tell by her glowing complexion that she’s been investing in herself. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, is there?

This year, Hua took it to the next level by adding a little dye to her hair. To be quite honest, the auburn red looks great on her. Her smile shines radiantly. It looks like it was a beautiful day.

In this photo, it looks as though Hua is taller than her father, maybe because of her straight poise. She opted for a simpler look this year, without the hair dye, signature bag, or business attire. This year, Hua wants to look like the shy little lady just like she was when she was a girl.

Not that we ever doubted it, but this photo is proof that Hua Yunquing loves taking pictures. With his big camera, vest, and cap, it looks like he’s a professional on a trip to the park, on his way to take random photos of people.

Here’s a photo where it’s a little more obvious that Hua’s father has aged. However, even though he seems older compared to previous years, he’s still killing it with his tidy looks. He looks wiser, maybe even ready to be a grandfather.

This year is a memorable one because there’s a new addition to the annual father-daughter photo. Hua gave birth to a cute baby girl, and of course, Hua Yunquing became a grandfather. We think he’ll definitely be a cool grandad.

Hua seems to enjoy her father’s annual tradition of taking pictures at the same spot. She’s still at it, only now with her own daughter. The little angel is slowly growing up, and before we know it, she’ll be a beautiful young lady, just like her mom.

This photo was taken in cold weather, going by the jackets they’re wearing. It’s nice to see that the family continues their tradition. You can see on their faces that they are genuinely smiling for the camera.

Hua Hua is aging flawlessly just like her father. She’s already 32 years old in this photo. Ageless genes run through her blood.

2012 is an extraordinary year for the Hua family as another little angel arrives! The family keeps on growing as the years go by. Hua Yunquing looks happy with his two granddaughters.

Even Mr. Sun wants a peak at this family’s photo shoot, giving them the perfect lighting. As the sun sets, it shines perfectly on the family as each member smiles happily for the camera.

Hua and her daughters are having another matching day, wearing the same dress colors. It seems that they were well prepared for this photo opportunity.