A single dad in Tennessee started filming himself cooking meals for his two young kids. But somewhere along the way, something much bigger happened. His videos have become a space where people show up,
open up, and feel a little less alone.
As reported on Today.com, Blake, who goes by @stillsadstilldad on TikTok and Instagram, started posting videos on March 1, documenting his daily routine of preparing food for his toddlers, one-year-old October and three-year-old Yliee.
In each video, he begins by telling viewers what he’s cooking and who it’s for, and ends by placing the meal in front of his kids. But it’s what he says in between that has drawn attention.
“Cook breakfast with me for my two toddlers in my small… apartment,” he says in one video, before opening up about his day. In another, he admits, “It’s been a rough… morning,” while struggling through simple tasks in the kitchen.
His content mixes everyday cooking with personal moments. He has shared dishes ranging from teriyaki rice bowls to shrimp alfredo inspired by Snoop Dogg, often adding his own commentary and humour along the way.
At times, the tone shifts.
In one video marking the anniversary of his mother’s death, he speaks about her struggles with addiction. “She was a beautiful lady inside and out,” he says, adding that the opioid crisis affected her life. He also says those experiences shaped how he now shows up as a parent.
“I didn’t have the most traditional upbringing,” he said in an interview, recalling periods of poverty and instability growing up. “Most of my meals as a kid were what we had in the fridge, and that’s why I want my kids to never go without.”
Blake is the primary caregiver for his children, and much of his content reflects that reality. His videos often show him cooking in a small apartment, managing meals and routines largely on his own.
As his posts gained traction, viewers began sharing their own stories in the comments.
“I’ve had the worst week… but we’re alive and it’s a new week,” one person wrote. Another said they related to his reflections on parents struggling with addiction.
Some followers also offer practical advice, from cooking tips to encouragement, turning the comment section into an active, supportive space.
Blake says that was never the original plan.
“I’m a pretty lonely person,” he says, adding that he started sharing partly so others wouldn’t feel the same way. “In the couple of weeks I’ve been doing this, I’ve built a little community.”
For him, the videos are also something his children can look back on.
“I wanted my kids to be able to remember this,” he says. “Even if someday we live in a big house, I want them to know that Dad tried.”
