25 feel-good, heartwarming moments of 2025

If 2025 felt incredibly long, you’re not alone.

The year featured historic wildfires, ongoing inflation, and international conflicts, which for some people made time seem to move more slowly than usual.

Still, 2025 wasn’t all heavy.

From small acts of kindness to awe-inspiring events, the year also brought joy, laughter, and plenty of happy tears.

To close out the year on a hopeful note, here’s a look at some of the good things that happened in 2025 – reminders that even during challenging times, there were moments worth celebrating.

Pilot surprises his grandmother with touching announcement

Pilot surprises grandmother with touching flight announcement

A grandmother got a heartwarming surprise when her grandson showed up to pilot her flight from Memphis to Chicago recently, delivering a touching tribute before takeoff. (Credit: Gina Abinet via Storyful)

A pilot surprised his grandmother by switching flights so he could fly her to her next destination. The pilot gave a heartwarming announcement ahead of the flight.

"This is a very special flight for me," Shurtz can be heard saying in the video. "So, my grandparents raised me … they’ve done everything they could to help me to get to where I am today," he said.

Shurtz’s grandmother, after realizing the pilot was her grandson, can be seen getting up from her seat and walking up the aisle to embrace him.

93-year-old wins hearts with daily walks for his senior cat

Sweet 93-year-old in New Zealand takes senior cat on daily walks in a cart

A grandfather from Auckland, New Zealand, is going viral on TikTok after his granddaughter posted heartwarming footage of him taking his 15-year-old cat on daily walks.

A 93-year-old in New Zealand takes his 15-year-old cat on daily walks in a cart.

His granddaughter shared the sweet routine on TikTok, saying it’s been a tradition for years.

California woman gets married after lifesaving surgery

Ariana Pulido was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive condition called growing teratoma syndrome after multiple tumor recurrences.

She underwent a complex 14-hour surgery at Cedars-Sinai to remove a 40-pound tumor, a procedure her original care team had deemed too risky.

A little over a year after undergoing life-changing surgery, Pulido was finally able to walk down the aisle and say "I do."

Maine grandmother graduates college at 88 years old

An 88-year-old grandmother in Maine showed the world it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

Joan Alexander earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in May, more than six decades after she was prevented from finishing her studies in education.

Vietnam veteran, 79, graduates from college to keep 'mind and body updated'

Vietnam Veteran, 80, graduates college to keep mind sharp

Vietnam veteran Linwood Riddick, nearing his 80th birthday, graduated from South Carolina State University with a music industry degree after returning to school to stay mentally and physically active. (Credit: South Carolina State University via Storyful)

Linwood Riddick, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran, graduated from South Carolina State with a music industry degree.

He served in the Navy, had a business career, and was active in the university choir.

SC State President Conyers said, "You inspire us all," applauding his dedication and engagement.

16-year-old becomes youngest to receive Ph.D. in the US, university claims

16-year-old may be youngest in US to receive Ph.D.

Mike Wimmer received his Ph.D. at just 16 years old, all while running several companies, as well as being a normal teenager.

Mike Wimmer attended Carolina University, where he received his Ph.D. at 16 years old.

He is a MENSA member and was running two businesses by the time he was just 12.

The teen is believed to be the youngest person to receive his Ph.D. in the United States.

Therapy dog retires after 8 years at children’s hospital

Holly, a therapy dog, officially retired from her role as "Cuddle Manager" this month.

Holly was at Alder Hey Children’s for eight years and made 500 visits during her tenure.

Lost stuffed otter at airport sparks nationwide search for owner

A stuffed otter was found at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport near baggage claim, and officials are seeking help to reunite it with its owner.

The plush toy, holding an orange starfish, was taken on a tour of the airport, including photos with Flash, a CBP Beagle Brigade rescue beagle.

The public is encouraged to contact the airport's lost and found department and share the story on social media to help locate the otter's owner.

Golden retrievers appear under seats during best flight ever

The dogs were service animals, and with the owner’s consent, the couple was able to pet them, capturing the moment on video. (Credit: Nicholas Bruno via Storyful)

During their flight from Florida to Michigan, a couple discovered two golden retrievers resting peacefully beneath their seats.

The dogs were service animals, and with the owner’s consent, the couple was able to pet them, capturing the moment on video.

Wisconsin World War II veteran turns 100; party honors service

A World War II veteran in Wisconsin turned 100 years old earlier this year.

Lemmer served two-and-a-half years in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps. A party celebrated his birthday and recognized his sacrifice.

Boy with cancer chases goal to visit all 50 states: ‘He just loves America’

10-year-old boy with cancer chases dream to visit all 50 states

The family is seeking support to help make Wyatt Drysdale's dream come true.

10-year-old Wyatt Drysdale, battling cancer, was determined to visit all 50 U.S. states, with 40 states already checked off.

Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021 and battling a return of the disease in 2023, Wyatt was traveling despite physical challenges from chemotherapy.

The Drysdale family was raising funds via GoFundMe to help fund Wyatt's dream trips and medical bills, with hopes to complete the journey by May.

Couple breaks record for longest living marriage

Two centenarians broke the Guinness World Record for longest marriage of a living couple, as reported by Jam Press and confirmed by LongeviQuest, a database on the life and times of the world’s oldest people.

Manoel Angelim Dino, 105, first met Maria de Sousa Dino, 101, while collecting sweets in Brazil in 1936. They remained acquaintances until they met again in 1940.

Emotional reunion as stolen dog returns home after over 7 years

Stolen dog reunited with owners over 7 years later

A beloved family pet was reunited with her humans more than seven years after she was stolen from their backyard.

A tearful reunion between a family and their beloved dog was caught on tape more than seven years after she was stolen from their yard.

Her owners, Rita and Phillip, said they kept a photograph of Daisy on the mantle and would look at it every day thinking of her.

These 2 Louisiana men came to fish but ended up saving a life instead

Two fishermen, Brock Newcomb and Tyler Dauzat, are being hailed as heroes after rescuing an 80-year-old man from his car as it sank into the Cane River in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. (Courtesy: Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office)

Seconds to spare. That's all fishing buddies Brock Newcomb and Tyler Dauzat had when they saw an elderly man's car sink into a Louisiana river. Their swift actions prevented a likely drowning, according to authorities.

The two men, both in their 30s and from nearby Rapides Parish, may have left their fishing tournament empty-handed that afternoon, but they walked away with a victory far greater than any prize: they saved a life.

Vermont man jumps into icy river to save struggling dog

Man jumps into icy river to save dog, video reveals

The snowy landscape of Berlin, Vermont, witnessed a heartwarming act of heroism when a local man braved the frigid Winooski River to rescue a struggling dog. (Credit: Ace MacRitchie)

It was simply a love for dogs.

There was no hesitation, said Chris MacRitchie, who courageously jumped into the frigid Winooski River in a T-shirt to save a struggling canine from certain death.

Despite the freezing temperatures and the uncertain depth of the river, MacRitchie knew he had to help her as he bravely waded in and pulled the shivering dog to safety.

Man picks up DoorDashing on top of day job to buy engagement ring

Chicago man DoorDashing on top of day job to buy engagement ring for girlfriend

Bradley Cho went viral on TikTok after sharing his journey DoorDashing in order to buy his girlfriend her dream engagement ring. Cho works a regular day job and picked up DoorDashing to reach his goal faster.

Bradley Cho has gone viral on TikTok after sharing his journey of picking up DoorDashing in addition to his regular day job to get an engagement ring for his girlfriend.

After recently purchasing a condo for himself and his girlfriend, his funds were depleted.

Though he received numerous offers from jewelers to help him get the ring faster, Cho said he wasn’t going to take them and work to give his girlfriend the ring that "she deserves."

Mystery donor drops gold coin worth thousands in Salvation Army bucket

A Salvation Army location in Vermont recently received an unexpected and heartwarming surprise among its holiday donations.

The Salvation Army of Barre, located roughly six miles from the state capital of Montpelier, discovered a gold coin hidden inside a taped-shut dollar bill that was dropped into one of its Red Kettle Campaign buckets, NBC5 News reported.

Staff brought the anonymously donated coin to be appraised and learned it was worth $4,100, according to the outlet.

Lifeguards rescue runaway dog swept out to sea in rip current

Sadie's miraculous rescue (San Diego Fire-Rescue Department)

A harrowing escape and rescue turned into a happy ending for a lucky lab mix named Sadie.

The beloved pup ran away, then ended up swept into the sea from a rip current.

After an hour of searching, lifeguards found her frightened, but alive and well about a half-mile offshore.

"Right when they were going to call it off, because it had been an hour, we literally were standing right there with the guy, and he got a call on the walkie talkie saying that they had found the dog, and we kind of just held our breath and they were like, and the dog is alive, and we kind of just started crying right away," Sadie’s owner Alexis said.

Lowe’s store cat's 85-mile journey ends in happy reunion

Francine, a Richmond Lowe’s cat, went missing after accidentally riding a truck 85 miles to North Carolina.

Lowe’s staff and animal control used traps, drones, and cameras to search for her.

She was safely found earlier this month and will soon return home to Richmond.

Army football player saves driver from fiery crash

West Point cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father rescued an unconscious man from a burning car in Fort Montgomery, New York.

Video shows them pulling the man to safety moments before the vehicle ignited.

The Fort Montgomery Fire Department confirmed the crash, and West Point praised Pickett Jr.’s bravery.

10-year-old chess prodigy defeats 60-year-old grandmaster

At 10 years old, Bodhana Sivanandan has become the youngest female chess player to defeat a grandmaster.

She’s also the youngest person to earn the woman international master title, the second-highest ranking for women in chess.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ with Bedford: Child born with rare genetic disorder goes viral

Parents hope to build all-inclusive playground for son with rare genetic disorder

"So when we were choosing the movie, Bedford's name, I felt like every name I threw out, Jesse was like, 'No, no.' I threw up Bedford from 'It's a Wonderful Life' just because that's my favorite movie; the idea that one man's life can touch so many. So now that we have seen this come to fruition, it's like, I don't know, it's crazy that his name on top of that, it has so much meaning behind it," Hollie Erickson said of her son, Bedford, who has Schwartz-Jampel syndrome.

Bedford, a 2-year-old with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, went viral after his parents posted an inspirational TikTok video.

There are only an estimated 150 reported cases of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome across the world.

Bedford’s parents hoped that by sharing his story, he could inspire and motivate others while also teaching them about his rare genetic disorder.

Single-mom waitress in West Virginia gets 'once in a lifetime' tip

Emelee Deming received a $2,000 tip after sharing her story with a couple. (Credit: DaVinci's Restaurant)

A West Virginia waitress and single mom received a $2,000 tip from a kind couple after sharing her story.

The couple asked about her life, then quietly left the large tip on a $148 bill.

She says the gesture restored her faith in humanity and plans to save the money.

Baby bird rescued from storm drain, reunited with mother

Friends rescue baby bird from storm drain and reunite it with mother

Adorable video showed a baby being reunited with its mother after two Kentucky friends rescued it from a storm drain. (Credit: @femidreamz ? Louisville, KY)

Lukman Nurudeen and Taiwo Mudah found a trapped baby bird while out on a walk.

Nurudeen and Mudah saw the distressed mother bird and decided they wanted to help rather than walk by.