Jennifer Garner Surprises Her Dad With a Vintage Birthday Gift That Pays Tribute to His Childhood

In a recent Instagram post, Jennifer Garner shared the heartwarming moment she bestowed upon her father, William John, during a weekend trip to her hometown in Charleston, West Virginia. The 13 Going on 30 actress had meticulously planned a one-of-a-kind birthday surprise for her dad as he marked another year of life.

Jennifer’s caption read, “Dad’s early birthday surprise: a ride in his childhood car — [a] 1948 Studebaker Champion,” accompanied by a snapshot of the two of them beaming beside the sleek black vehicle. She also mentioned that David King, a “kind and generous” soul, had the pleasure of accompanying her father on this memorable ride.

Notably, Jennifer’s father’s birthday falls on September 21, a date that holds significance in the lyrics of September, the timeless 1971 hit by Earth, Wind, and Fire. In 2017, Jennifer expressed her admiration for her dad in a heartfelt message, “We always knew you were the coolest, Dad!” a sentiment often reinforced by his appearances alongside her in her ongoing Capitol One Venture card commercials.

This touching gesture constituted just one of the many highlights of Jennifer’s whirlwind visit back home, even though her stay spanned a mere “36 hours.” Jennifer also shared additional snapshots from her trip, capturing various moments that warmed her heart. These included photos of her gazing at the September sky, cruising past West Virginia’s State Capitol, and sharing an affectionate embrace with her “beloved ballet teacher, mentor, and second mother, Nina Lu Pasinetti (Ms. Denton).”

The actress didn’t just enjoy her visit personally; she also organized a “multipack giveaway” featuring her highly praised range of baby food and snacks at her local Kroger grocery store. In gratitude to those who attended, she expressed her thanks, writing, “Thank you to everyone who stopped by!”

Yet, amidst all these activities, Jennifer’s primary focus remained her family. Her social media post commenced with an image of her tightly embracing her nephew after a soccer game. With affection, Jennifer captioned it with, “I ♥️ my nephew,” highlighting her special bond with family.

She went on to share a video of her nephew showcasing his soccer skills while she sat in the stands, joined by her loved ones. In a playful tone, she quipped, “What am I, suddenly a soccer expert?” adding a touch of humor to her family-centric trip.

Additionally, the actress had the opportunity to reunite with her sister, Susannah. They posed for a snapshot together, and Jennifer expressed her deep appreciation, saying, “I can’t imagine life without my little sister, Susannah. (We missed you, Melissa!)” She made it clear that the absence of their other sister, Melissa, was felt during their gathering.

Garner also made sure to spend some quality time with her mother, Patricia Ann Garner. She shared a heartwarming picture of the two holding hands, captioning it with, “Of course we had to close Mom’s rings! ⌚️,” reflecting their precious mother-daughter moments.

Despite Jennifer’s seemingly fairy tale rise to fame, her mom faced significant challenges during the actress’s early years. The 51-year-old actress even shared that at one point, her mother had to earn just $1 a day to support their family.