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High School Crushes Meet Again at 50th Reunion - Then, a Phone Call Leads to Them Getting Married
Love Stories

High School Crushes Meet Again at 50th Reunion - Then, a Phone Call Leads to Them Getting Married

The first time Elaine Hall and Roland Passaro danced together they were teenagers. It was the 1950s and they jitterbugged to the song Kansas City.Seventy years later, they took to the dance floor again. Same song, same dance. Only this time, as newlyweds. Once each other's middle and high school crushes, they reconnected at their 50th high school reunion, and now, in a love story that spans decades, they've finally said, "I do."He Was a Star Athlete. She Was Head of the Cheer Squad.Hall and Passaro, both 88, grew up four blocks apart in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They attended middle school and high school together. They had classes together, played "Spin the Bottle" together, and danced with each other at the local YMCA."In today's parlance, you would say, she was hot. She was the smartest girl in class and knew the answer to every question," Passaro told the Washington Post."Roland was as handsome as could be, he was the star player and all the girls liked him. But he liked me, so that was nice."Elaine HallThey seemed perfect for each other, the quintessential high school couple — he was a star athlete with dreams of becoming a pro baseball player and she was the head cheerleader. But despite their mutual crushes, they remained squarely in the friend zone. It appeared as though they just weren't meant to be. And, as life does, it eventually took them in different directions.Passaro realized his dream of pitching in the minor leagues, went to college, got married, had three children, and ended up working for an airline in Miami. He lost his first wife, Suzanne, after a four-year battle with cancer, shortly after the couple suffered the devastating loss of their 37-year-old son, John. After high school, Hall got a job at a local newspaper and worked her way up the ranks to director of advertising and business development, where she stayed until she retired at 66. She also married, raised three children, and divorced in her 40s.50th High School ReunionFor 50 years, Passaro and Hall lived separate lives but then...FATE. When they received the invitation for their 50th high school reunion, they both decided to make the trip back to their hometown — Hall from Atlantic City and Passaro from Miami.As soon as they saw each other, sparks flew. "There was an attraction between us that night," Hall said. "When I went over to say goodbye, he leaned over and gave me a kiss."They agreed to stay in touch. As soon as Passaro got home, he mailed her a letter. That led to a six-hour phone call. Countless phone calls, emails, and two trips to Miami later, Hall and Passaro decided they didn't want to live apart any longer. Hall moved to Miami.For 20 years, the couple lived together, devoted to their families, traveling, enjoying art shows, golfing, and reading to each other every night before falling asleep. They were there for each other, in the good times and the bad, including when Hall's 67-year-old son, Robert, passed away in 2021.In October 2023, after being together for two decades, they finally decided it was high time they tied the knot."Let's do it," Passaro told Hall after she asked him why they hadn't married yet over a glass of wine. A Wedding Seven Decades in the MakingIn March 2024, Passaro and Hall said "I do." Their wedding was a family affair, with Hall's two daughters, Elizabeth and Patricia, walking her down the aisle. James Passaro (Roland's son) officiated and his other son, Ron, was the best man. Two of their great-granddaughters were flower girls. And in a beautiful full circle moment worthy of a Hollywood romance movie, the two danced to the first song they ever did together, all those years ago. "This was a good climax to a great love story."James Passaro via the Washington PostAs for their secret to happiness? The couple reveals that it's all about sharing values, interests, and history."The thing about getting older is that very few people remember you from when you were young," Hall said. "But I remember Rollie as the vibrant young fellow who could throw a ball as far as the eye could see."Not one to be outdone, Passaro responded, "And I remember how beautiful and exciting she was when she was 15, and I can say that she's just as beautiful and exciting today." (We can see why she loves him.)It may have taken seven decades to get here, but their love proves that it's never too late for second chances. More from Goalcast:High School Sweethearts Break Up After Graduation – 63 Years Later, One Phone Call Leads to Their MarriageWoman Goes With High School Sweetheart on a Date – Finds Out He’d Been Working on a Secret for Months15-Year-Old Feels a Spark With Her Sister’s Prom Date – 70 Years Later the Unthinkable Happens

Boy Abandoned by His Parents Is Accused of Being a Child Witch - One Woman Completely Changes His Life
Uplifting News

Boy Abandoned by His Parents Is Accused of Being a Child Witch - One Woman Completely Changes His Life

Anja Lovén was 30 years old when she saw a British documentary about a child witch. She sat there in shock — and then in rage — as the television program detailed how these "witch children" are tortured, abandoned, even buried alive. Many countries in Africa, and around the world, have a long history of the practice of witchcraft.Historically, the elderly, the disabled, and anyone considered “different” were the main targets of accusations. But in the last 40 years, despite the practice being illegal, more and more children have been accused of being witches. Especially vulnerable, children are often unable to defend themselves and suffer the most horrific abuse.The Life of a “Child Witch”Under the guise of “exorcism,” an accused child witch in Africa can be made to ingest dangerous substances, blinded, beaten, or even set on fire. Witch doctors, shamans and religious leaders will try to coerce parents into paying large amounts of money for these exorcisms.Some parents can’t or won’t pay. Those unfortunate children carry the label of 'witch' with them for the rest of their lives — which is often quite short because they are most often abandoned.Without family, friends, shelter or food, these children are doomed to wander around the outskirts of communities. They scavenge for food in dumps. The sad truth is that they almost always die of dehydration, starvation, disease and neglect. The Boy Who Changed Her LifeThe images of these deplorable practices were burned into Anja’s brain that day when she watched the documentary. She couldn’t stop thinking about the injustice and about the leaders who were turning a blind eye to it. A few years later, she decided that she couldn’t just continue her life, knowing what she did now. She quit her job, sold everything she had, and headed to Nigeria. It was there that Anja came upon a tiny, naked, emaciated boy — a "child witch" — who stole her heart. As she knelt down next to him to gather him in her arms, someone took a picture. It went viral.But that day, Anja’s mind was on one thing only: get help for this boy. She gave him water and drove him to the nearest hospital. Later, she would admit that she didn’t have much hope that he would survive. He was literally on the brink of death, wandering around a small village, starving and alone. Anja was told that he had been abandoned by his parents eight full months ago. It was clear that he didn’t have much time left.He Has a NameJust before Anja handed the boy over to doctors, she decided to give him a name: Hope. “I was so sure he would not survive,” she remembers. “Every breath he took was a struggle, and I did not want him to die without a name, without dignity, so I named him Hope.”At the hospital, the frail child was treated for parasites and given blood transfusions. The situation looked bleak. Anja took to the internet to voice her outrage — and support poured in from all over the world.In no time at all, over a million dollars had been raised. It was enough to not only cover the boy’s medical expenses but also to start a nonprofit organization to rescue so-called child witches. Land of HopeToday, Anja is on a mission. Her nonprofit organization, called Land of Hope, raises awareness for the plight of the "child witches" and provides the accused with care, stability and love at the orphanage Anja opened with her Nigerian husband, humanitarian lawyer and worker David Umem.Two months after Anja rescued him from his life-threatening ordeal, Hope made a full recovery. He now runs around with a while pack of children at the orphanage. He has also since met his biological mother and father. Hope’s mother was only 15 years old when she gave birth to the boy, given in marriage to a village leader more than four times older than her. When her son was accused of being a child witch, she left him behind. Hope and his parents are taking steps to mend their relationship, but Hope still calls Anja his mom.Anja and David treat all the children at Land of Hope like their own, but they also have a biological son, David Jr., who grew up at the heart of his parents’ mission.“I want him to know the most important thing you can do in life is to help other people in need and be a good person,” says Anja of her son. “To listen, be empathic, and not judge other people. I hope he will remember his mother as someone who helped other people.”Indeed, on Land of Hope’s website, “hope” is an acronym: Help One Person Everyday. It’s a simple mantra with the potential for big impact that everyone in the world can implement right now.More from Goalcast:Overwhelmed Workers Sob After Manager Abandons Them – The “Host” Gives Two Customers an IdeaRed-Skinned Newborn Baby Is Abandoned by Her Parents – But a Couple Who Can’t Have Their Own Kids Take Her In17-Year-Old Mom Abandons Her Newborn Baby at Hospital – When a Priest Finds Out, He Takes Him in as His Own

Great Grandmas Car Was Stolen - So, She Chased Down the Thief and Busted a Car Theft Ring
Everyday Heroes

Great Grandmas Car Was Stolen - So, She Chased Down the Thief and Busted a Car Theft Ring

*Featured image contains photo by Kindel MediaA thief in Portland, Oregon tried to steal a 1999 white Cadillac... Unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong car.When 79-year-old great-grandmother, Noble Jean Napoleon caught the thief in the act, she wasn't having it. Undaunted, not only did she thwart her own vehicle's theft but her actions helped authorities bust a car theft ring. And if there's any lesson to be learned from this, it's "Don't mess with Grandma."Great-Grandma Stops a Car ThiefWhen Napoleon picked up her great-grandkids from school the last thing she expected to see was her Cadillac drive-by on the back of a tow truck.Having left the car parked outside her apartment earlier that afternoon while she borrowed her son's SUV, she was just pulling out of a gas station when the tow truck rumbled past.Knowing something was drastically wrong, she immediately sprang into action. Telling her great-grandkids to "fasten their seatbelts tight," Granny took off in hot pursuit."I was trailing him," she told the Oregonian. "I was right on his butt."The tow truck driver and alleged car thief, Joseph Allen Beard, 52, had no idea what was coming. (Hell hath no fury like a great-grandma whose Caddy is being stolen).Napoleon pulled up beside the truck, rolled down her window, and yelled, "You take my damn car back where you got it from!"Instead of stopping, Beard sped off. Undaunted, Napoleon charged."Let's GO!"Noble Jean NapoleonAt one point in her chase, she enlisted the help of a few men parked on the side of the road, asking them to follow her.Eventually, she caught up to the thief and her self-appointed deputies helped box him in. When the men got out of their cars and approached the truck driver, she yelled at them not to "beat him up.""I need him to take my car back home," she told them.Operation MistleTOWWhen Napoleon confronted Beard, he tried to convince her that the Cadillac was his friend's car. When that didn't work, he offered to unhitch the vehicle and leave it. But Napoleon wasn't done with him yet."You're taking it back where it came from," she told him. She then proceeded to follow him all the way home."I trailed him all the way back," she said. "I wasn't playin'." Napoleon contacted the police shortly afterward, giving them Beard's license plate number. It was exactly what they needed to finally bust "Operation MistleTow" wide open.Apparently, this wasn't an isolated event. For the past few months, the District Attorney’s Office’s Auto Theft Task Force had been waiting for the break they needed to stop an illegal tow truck operation stealing cars and selling them for scrap metal.That's where our unlikely vigilante comes in. According to the DA's Office, a representative of Maters Auto Recycling sold about 80 vehicles to Rivergate Scrap Metal, at least 22 of which were stolen. The representative is alleged to be Beard.Thanks to Napoleon, Beard was arrested and the operation shut down.Now, he's facing multiple charges, including Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Forgery, and Identity Theft. He's pleaded "Not Guilty."Don't Mess With GrandmaWhile the police cautioned Napoleon not to take matters into her own hands in the future and to "be careful," the sassy septuagenarian says Beard is the one who should have been careful."If I had my slugger in here, he'd have been careful 'cause I would have slugged him all over everything, yes," she said.Despite her age (or maybe because of it), Napoleon is clearly a force to be reckoned with. And she proves that when it comes to courage and fighting injustice, we all have the power to stand up. No matter our age or circumstances.More from Goalcast:Thief Steals Truck and Unbelievably Returns It a Few Days Later – Leaves Behind a Gift and a NoteSingle Mom of 5 Texts the Thief Who Stole Her Car to Return It – And She Actually Succeeded!Man Finds Out a Thief Has Broken Into and Stolen From His Restaurant – His Unexpected Reaction Goes Viral

Womans Childhood Classmate Used to Pack Her Lunch - Years Later, Does Something Incredible to Honor Her
Uplifting News

Womans Childhood Classmate Used to Pack Her Lunch - Years Later, Does Something Incredible to Honor Her

*Featured image contains photo by olia danilevich and Oleksandr PAnyone who has ever experienced food insecurity knows that it never really leaves you. Those hunger pangs, even when they're long gone, linger, a phantom reminder of darker days.When Haley was in third grade, she knew those pangs well. Her family was struggling and there was never enough to eat. One of her classmates noticed and would pack an extra lunch for her. Her name was Gracie May.Although the two classmates lost touch after fourth grade, Haley never forgot her. Years later, Haley had a daughter...she named her "Gracelyn Marie" in honor of that little girl.How a Young Girl Made a Lasting ImpressionIn a TikTok video that is shattering hearts everywhere, Haley (@bby_hxxii) shares an emotional 7-second clip she simply captions "Angels are real."Set to the haunting lyrics, "I think of you all the time," from Alex Olsen's song, Someday I'll Get It, the video zooms in on Haley as she blows a kiss.“To that sweet girl in 3rd grade that would bring in an extra lunch box with food just for me, thank you so much. I named my daughter after you," Haley writes in the text overlay.Welp. It may be simple but boy, does it pack a punch. One commenter summed it up in 8 words:"'I named my daughter after you' I'm sobbing."The video has struck a nerve. In just a few days it's gone viral with over 2.8 million views, 630,000 likes, and more than 4800 comments.Its message has resonated with people all over the globe, a poignant reminder of the profound impact of kindness.Reaction to the Viral TikTokThousands of people took to the comment section, touched by Gracie's actions and the way Haley chose to honor her."Love how you honored her," wrote one commenter."Her mama was looking out for you," said another. "I hope she sees this. kindness always comes back," said a third.But in addition to all of the love, it also started a tsunami of goodness. People began sharing their own stories, hundreds of them. And if these doesn't restore your faith in humanity, nothing will.Here are just a few:"I had the same bday as one of my classmates and every year her mom did a big party in the classroom for her and my name would always be on the cake too." — Britney"When I was in 7th grade, a popular girl (never talked to her) heard that my mom couldn't afford Christmas for me that year. Her & her mom went Christmas shopping for me and brought me gifts to school. I will never forget that. I think of it often and hope she's well." — Ambria"My son noticed a quiet kid in his class w holes in his shoes/clothes. He came to school the next day w clothes he didn’t want. - the boy wears his new outfits daily & my son says he tells jokes now." — Alli"I remember a teacher that would call me to class before going home to give me 4 cans of raviolis for me and my 3 siblings. I never told her but she knew." — neener-neen"The boy that danced with me at the primary school dance when no else would ~ who passed away a few years later from cancer. Always in my heart." — Clarel892"My mom named me after the first friend she made when she moved to America." — L"I used to hate my smile until one girl told me she loved my side dimples. every time I smile I think of her to this day because she made me appreciate it instead of hating it." — Ana NjeriOne Small Act of Kindness Can Change Someone’s WorldAfter grade four, Haley moved from Texas to Arizona. It's been 13 years since she's seen Gracie but not a day goes by that she doesn't think about her. THAT is the power of kindness.To Gracie, it was probably just lunch. To Haley, it was the world. And she never forgot it. And now, neither will her daughter."To live rent free in someone's head for an act of kindness is something we should all strive for."More from Goalcast:Child Realizes Hungry Classmates Don’t Have Lunch – So He Makes an Unexpected Request to His Mom“Homeless” Man Insists on Paying for an Expensive Lunch at Restaurant – So the Server Tells Him a LieMom Has Perfect Response to Teacher Who Called Her Son’s Lunches ‘Disgusting’ – Then She Receives a Shocking Email

Woman Is Rejected as a Flight Attendant for Being Too Short - So She Started Her Own Aviation Company
Success Stories

Woman Is Rejected as a Flight Attendant for Being Too Short - So She Started Her Own Aviation Company

When Sibongile Sambo was a little girl she would stop and watch the airplanes fly overhead as she played in the streets of her hometown, Bushbuckridge, South Africa.She dreamt that someday, she would fly too. She decided to pursue a career in aviation. However, after being rejected by multiple airlines for not measuring up, literally — she was too short to be a flight attendant — it seemed like it wasn't meant to be.But rather than give up, she dug in. And her dream? Took flight.Today she is the founder and CEO of SRS (Sibongile Rejoice Sambo) Aviation and made history doing it. Sibongile Sambo Flies Into the History BooksSambo is used to hearing the word "No." She doesn't let it stop her. After failing her first year of University in Accounting, her advisors begged her to switch to nursing or teaching. Sambo refused."I said I'd rather stay at home if that was the case. Then I decided to register in a B.Admin in industrial psychology and political science," she told eNCA.She aced her classes, graduated, and worked in Human Resources for seven years. But she wasn't happy and still, in the back of her mind was that desire to pursue her passion.In 2004, she finally decided to go for it. She quit her job and bid on a contract supplying cargo transport for the South African government. There was just one not-so-minor catch. She needed an airplane. Despite having zero experience in aviation and no collateral, she refused to be grounded. Rejected by financiers, she sold her house and car and used her mother's and aunt's pensions to buy a Russian plane. "I never thought about losing," she said of risking it all. "For me, this was the beginning of a winning game...I was just fired up with passion seeing this dream becoming a reality.""That voice inside me, that spiritual voice that says 'You will make it,' that is what I listened to."Sibongile SamboThe voice was right. Against overwhelming odds, Sambo bought the plane for $800,000, managed to obtain an Air Operating Certificate from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), AND won the government contract. The Sky's the LimitBreaking into the male-dominated industry has been a turbulent ride. But not only did Sambo break into the industry, she broke the glass ceiling. SRS Aviation is "the first, and only, fully empowered, Black women-owned and operated airborne services business in South Africa," according to its website.The company offers professional and personalized flight options including VIP charter, air cargo charter, tourist transfers, medical evacuations, aerial photography, and general air security services.Additionally, it is also the African distributor of new and overhauled aircraft spare parts for the commercial, commuter, corporate, Military, and Cargo Aerospace Industries. And in 2020, it inherited a technical training school. In recognition of her impressive achievements, Sambo has scored multiple awards over the years, including the Black Woman in Business Awards, Impumelelo Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and she was also named a "Leader of Tomorrow" by Fortune Magazine.And Sambo is nowhere done yet. The entrepreneur, international speaker, and Fortune 500 mentor continues to chart new heights and recently graduated with her MBA from the University of Pretoria.See Your Own Dreams Take FlightBeyond her professional accomplishments, Sambo remains deeply committed to empowering women in aviation. As a staunch advocate for gender equality, she has championed initiatives aimed at increasing female representation in the industry and she has helped numerous women get their pilot licenses.For any other little girl looking to the skies, or to anyone dreaming big, Sambo has this advice:"I would say to that little girl, 'My young girl, the sky is not even the limit, you can do it. If you have a dream don't let it die. Keep the spirit going. Keep that dream alive. Do something about it, don't procrastinate, don't sit back.'" "Don't listen to those negative voices that will tell you that you can't make it. If somebody tells you you can't do it, tell them that I can. You can reach the skies, you can reach your goals and go for it."Sibongile Sambo More from Goalcast:Woman Sits Next to Pregnant Stranger on Flight – Ends Up Adopting Her Newborn BabyConfused 94-Year-Old Passenger Holds up Flight – Then One Man Stepped In and Gave up His First-Class SeatMom of 3 Is Overwhelmed Taking Care of Her 3 Kids Alone on Flight – Until a Guardian Angel Comes to the Rescue

Man Pressured to Leave Overweight Girlfriend So He Did What He Should Have Done a Long Time Ago
Uplifting News

Man Pressured to Leave Overweight Girlfriend So He Did What He Should Have Done a Long Time Ago

After sharing a sweet anniversary post with the world, teenagers Emily Phillips and her high school sweetheart, Aidan Harrison, were harassed online for the worst reason. Over the course of two years, Phillips had put on a "significant" amount of weight. The comments called her "too fat." Thousands of strangers urged her boyfriend to "leave her."They Said Her Weight Gain Was “Disrespecting” Her Man@emphillipx/TikTokWhen Phillips posted a sweet "time jump" anniversary carousel for her friends and family, she had no idea the post would go viral — and the horrific backlash they would receive. Phillips innocently shared a photo from their first date titled "Day 1." Next to it, she posted a recent photo titled, "Day 884." "I'm so happy to experience a love like ours, and know what love is," she captioned the post. In both photos it's clear the couple are very in love. They are holding each other and smiling big — but that's not what the rest of the world saw.Instead, they saw a confident woman, comfortable in her skin at any size — and they wanted to tear her down. The comments were sexist, cruel, and endless. Many of the comments were written by men (probably without girlfriends) writing about how unworthy of love this beautiful, young, woman was, simply because of her weight. One Twitter user — who we can only assume is a men's rights activist — went on to write, "This is why you need to be on top of everything as a man to ensure that things such as this do not happen." Some Twitter users speculated that perhaps Phillips was pregnant. Implying that this alone would justify her weight gain — that a woman is only exempt from having the "perfect" body, if she is with child. It's impossible as a woman, to look through the hateful comments Phillips received, and not have your blood boil.How This Boyfriend Graciously Put an End to the “Lies” Her TikTok had a snowball effect. Overnight, her post gained over 30k comments (and we'd advise against looking through them). While some of the comments encouraged the couple to "ignore the hate," most of the comments were devastating, calling the 18-year-old Phillips all kinds of awful names that we have chosen not to share with our readers.While we can only imagine how many tears Phillips must have shed behind closed doors, her devoted boyfriend Harrison, put the haters in their place in the simplest way. Harrison knew if he responded to each mean comment individually, it would only add fuel to the fire. After all, these mean spirited comments are written with the express purpose of hurting the feelings of those reading it.So instead, he posted this — and it was perfect."We're happy and that's all that matters. I love you sweetheart," he wrote.Young Woman Embodied True Confidence and It’s Inspiring Unfortunately, cyberbullying is a very real consequence of living in the digital age. Without even intending to, we have never been more accessible to thousands and thousands of people we've never even met. The good news is, we have seen the wide reach of the internet be used for good.The bad news is, we have also seen it used to spread hate. Emily Phillips's story is the perfect example of how damaging cyber bulling can be. But thankfully, her story doesn't end there. She chose to have an ever bigger impact, by not doing this one thing.Instead of removing her post, or turning off the comments, Phillips would not allow her haters to get the best of her. She left her post up — hateful comments and all. What happened next was even more incredible. Eventually women and men from all over chose to support this couple. They reminded her she was beautiful. They reminded her love wins. Emily Phillips refused to hide her body in shame — and hopefully her strength inspired others to do the same.It's easy to be a back seat driver. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," friends will dismissively advise. But when you're the target of hate, it takes a whole different kind of strength to withstand it.She took a heartbreaking situation and used it to uplift others. Shockingly, Emily Phillips is paving the way for women who struggle with self-esteem issues, one hateful comment at a time.More from Goalcast:Her Daughter Excluded Her Best Friend for Being “Too Fat” – Shocked Mom Takes Matters Into Her Own HandsWoman Goes to the Gym to Work Out – Breaks Down When She Hears These Startling Words From a ‘Hardcore’ Gym BroPlus Size Man and His Size 8 Wife Receive Rude Comments From Haters – Come Up With the Perfect Idea to Silence Them

Exhausted Man Falls Asleep While Getting a Haircut - Barbers Reaction Goes Viral
Uplifting News

Exhausted Man Falls Asleep While Getting a Haircut - Barbers Reaction Goes Viral

Life is hectic and it isn't often that we get a chance to just put up our feet, sit back, and relax.So, it's not uncommon for people to doze off for a moment or two in the barber chair. What is uncommon is for that doze to last THREE HOURS.After his client fell asleep in his chair, a sympathetic hairstylist waited patiently for him to wake up. Three hours and 38 missed calls later, he finally did. Exhausted Worker Falls Asleep in Barber’s ChairIt was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon when Billy walked into Barber Industries, a barbershop in a shopping mall in Newcastle, Australia. Fresh off his shift at work, he was still wearing his hi-vis shirt and work boots.A regular at the shop, Billy often pops in for a haircut and a beard trim. He wasn't long in the chair before he started to nod off. "He sat down then mid-conversation he just started to fall asleep," barber Jordan Magasiva told Yahoo News. While an exhausted Billy took the chance to catch up on some much-needed ZZZZZs, Jordan took the opportunity to catch him in "action."TikTok of Sleeping Client Goes ViralIn a hilarious video posted to TikTok, Jordan captures Billy, his head thrown back and his mouth wide open, as time stamps flash across the scene. As time marches on, various customers come and go. Everyone that is, except Billy.Jordan captions the clip: "My boy Billy slept during his haircut but we know he’s no joker when it comes to hard yakka (work) hence why we let him sleep because we know how hectic work/life gets." And by "sleep" he means borderline comatose. The guy literally does not move for almost three hours.At the 3:45 mark, the stylists seem to have resigned themselves to the fact that Billy is in it for the long haul. Someone covers his eyes with a towel. At 4:32, Jordan jokingly checks to see if Billy's still breathing (he is). Finally, three hours after succumbing to his fatigue, and with the mall already closed, Billy wakes up from his beauty rest smiling and no doubt feeling pretty good. (That is until he checks his phone and discovers he has 38 missed calls. Oops.) At 5:45 pm he waves a sheepish goodbye and presumably heads home.Reaction to the Viral VideoApparently, Jordan isn't the only one amused by Billy's power nap. The video has garnered a staggering 14 million views since he posted it a week ago. And while the footage is hilarious, Jordan wants people to know that he has the utmost respect for his client and he posted the video as a tribute to all the hardworking men and women hustling to make ends meet. "Shoutout to all the hardworking men & women doing what they have to do to make ends meet, we must support each other on this journey, dont forget to rest and reset as we only get to enjoy this ride once, cheers guys," Jordan wrote in the caption. His simple act of kindness hasn't gone unnoticed. Over 9700 people took to the comments to praise Jordan and his staff for letting a sleeping Billy lie. "Better he falls asleep in the chair then behind the wheel at a light. Cool to allow him to get some much needed rest before leaving," wrote one."This poor guy, reminds of my dad. Hard worker, falls asleep when gets to relax. Thank you for letting him rest," commented another."I know that feeling trying to get a cut after leaving the job site. Damn near impossible to keep your eyes open," said a third."Probably a shift worker! These day naps are much needed, legend for letting him get it in,” another wrote. The Importance of RestWhat makes this video so relatable is that we've all been there. For most of us, life is crazy and busy and sometimes, bone-numbingly exhausting. Between work, family, household responsibilities, and paying bills, there's little time for rest.So when you can take a moment to just sit and breathe, it's a welcome respite from running the never-ending rat race.The fact that Jordan and his staff could honor that time for Billy and put compassion and understanding above productivity, is admirable.It's also a good reminder that the next time you see someone sneaking in a bit of shut-eye, let them rest. Chances are, they need it.More from Goalcast:Kindhearted Barber Gifts Free Haircuts to Disabled Children on His Days OffWoman Breaks Down After Making a Difficult Decision to Shave Her Head – Her Barber’s Powerful Response Goes ViralBoy With Autism Was Too Overwhelmed to Get a Haircut – So the Barber Came Up With a Genius Solution

Rookie Police Officer Follows His Gut And His Decision Changes 3 Kids Lives Forever
Uplifting News

Rookie Police Officer Follows His Gut And His Decision Changes 3 Kids Lives Forever

The first time that Vacaville police officers came into contact with the three young boys, it was because their mother had called in to say she couldn’t find one of them. Rookie officer Isaac Stevens felt that more was going on, though, and so he decided to visit the woman and her sons and do a welfare check. The instant he stepped into the apartment, he realized he had made the right decision.“I was shocked that kids were living in conditions like this,” says Stevens, who describes the apartment as ‘filthy.’ The boys were only 2, 4, and 8 when Stevens visited them. And they were alone.Finding a Foster FamilyThe next step was to contact Child Welfare and try to find a foster family. Stevens knew he had to do it, but he also knew that it wasn’t a magic pill that would make all the boys’ problems go away. Like most places across the country, Solano County had a shortage of foster families. Would they be able to place the boys? Would the brothers be split apart?As fate would have it, one foster family on the list was a distant relation of the boys’ biological mother. James and Mae Lancaster said they would take the boys — all three of them.“We were 100% all in, right from the time we heard they needed a home," says James Lancaster. He and his wife Mae received the call in the middle of the night. They immediately made their way to the police station and were waiting outside on the steps when Stevens arrived with the boys.Keeping the Boys TogetherBoth James and Mae know firsthand the importance of a strong family bond and insisted on keeping the brothers together. James grew up in a disadvantaged, inner city neighborhood of San Francisco. His mom was a single parent, and James watched her struggle. “I felt a duty to these three kids,” he says. The Lancasters decided to become foster parents.Mae and James would not be new parents, though. They had lost a son more than a decade earlier. But now, new life was suddenly breathed back into their family.“They’ve given me…my life back,” says Mae. “It’s very rewarding, watching them grow, play sports and do good in school.”James echoes Mae’s sentiments and encourages others to consider becoming foster families. He’s proud to point out how far the boys have come since they found a stable, loving home with the Lancasters. He says the boys’ confidence has skyrocketed and that they’re happy.“At the end, we’re trying to raise good citizens, good people,” he emphasizes.Guest of HonorThat’s why, after fostering the boys for a time, the Lancasters were thrilled to officially adopt them. And who was at the top of the guest list for the ceremony? Officer Stevens, the very person whose gut instinct had led the boys to their new home, where they would thrive.The three brothers may have had a rocky start in life, but now they can relax and just be kids. The Lancasters say that their priority is spending time together as a family, and to that end, their plans include a trip to Disney — the happiest place on earth.More from Goalcast:Policeman Shows Up at School and Grills Confused Teen – Then Someone Grabs Him From BehindPolice Officer Catches Single Dad Shoplifting for His Son – Decides on a Surprising “Punishment”No One Shows Up to Boy’s Birthday Party TWO Years in a Row – Then Policemen Knock on His Door

15-Year-Old Feels a Spark With Her Sisters Prom Date - 70 Years Later the Unthinkable Happens
Uplifting News

15-Year-Old Feels a Spark With Her Sisters Prom Date - 70 Years Later the Unthinkable Happens

Shirley Peasley is the woman who believed her sister would never forgive her, after a simple prom night went shockingly wrong.Way back in the 1950s, Shirley Peasley's younger sister Kay was getting ready for the night of her life. She had scored a date with her high school's heartthrob, Harold, and he was taking her to the prom! Peasley couldn't have been more excited for her sister and she helped her primp up for her date, but then, the door bell rang too soon.She Said Her Sister "Should Have Been Ready"Patrick Q/FlickrPeasley quickly rushed downstairs to stall her sister's date, but fate had other plans. In a delightful rom-com twist, Shirley and Harold couldn't stop bantering back and forth. Their spark was undeniable. By the time Kay came downstairs, Shirley pulled her aside and confessed she felt a magnetic connection with Harold. She didn't want to play games or try to go behind her beloved sister's back, so she addressed her feelings about him head on. She asked for her permission to "steal" her date.Even though it was early days for Shirley and Harold (less than a few hours), without hesitating, her younger sister Kay sweetly acquiesced to her sister's wishes, opting out of their date — she didn't want to go out with a boy who had eyes for another girl — especially if that girl was her older sister.“She should have been ready when he showed up. She was taking too long getting ready!”Shirley Peasley, PEOPLELooking back, Shirley Peasley playfully poked fun at the situation. WHILE she had never intended to to steal her sister's date — she couldn't deny that Harold had charisma. “I thought he was handsome and I knew he was popular in school with sports and everything,” Shirley explained. “So of course I wanted to date him."With a mischievous grin and unapologetic charm, Shirley recounted how her bold move paved the way for a lifetime of love and laughter with Harold — oh, and did we forget to mention?The couple just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary!Their 70 Year Secret RevealedCOURTESY SHIRLEY AND HAROLD PEASLEYHarold and Shirley Peasley may have fallen in love in an "unconventional" way, but 70 years later, their fire is still burning and it may just prove the best way to fall in love, is your own way.“He waits on me hand and foot. If I tell him I’m gonna go get the clothes out of the dryer, he’s out there and got them out before I can do it. He takes good care of me.”Shirley Peasley, PEOPLETheir secret to staying in love? It's simple; according to Harold, they "do everything together," finding joy in each moment shared. Despite the passing years, their bond remains as strong as ever, a testament to the power of love and companionship. As they celebrate their remarkable 70th wedding anniversary, Harold and Shirley serve as a shining example of love's ability to endure and flourish, no matter the odds.They Didn’t Even Tell Their Kids How They Met!No one gives Shirley and Harold a tough time about how they met — after all, they were only 15 years old at the time of the "crime."In fact, the couple were so in love, they wed just three short years later as soon as Shirley was of age. Now, Harold and Shirley Peasley share children, Mike, 69, John, 62, Kim, 58, Kris, 55, and their “unofficial” adopted son, Greg Rushton, 60, who grew up near the Peasleys. But their five kids never knew exactly how it all went down — until a surprising revelation on a family cruise vacation about 20 years ago, during their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. During a "Love and Marriage" event hosted onboard the ship, the couple was selected to participate in the game where their endearing love story took center stage. The host asked Shirley and Harold exactly how they met — which is when they revealed the entire story without mincing any details! The host went on to make the questions even spicier when he asked the couple what was the most unexpected place they had ever made love. That's when their grandchildren hilariously piped up exclaiming, "We do not need to know that!"Their Spark Lights Up Every Room They’re InUnlike lots of couples who marry "too young," these long time love birds couldn't have gotten married soon enough. Over 73 years together and the couple still feels like they're living in a fairytale...and the trickle down effect is no joke.“Growing up, my life was like a fairytale,” daughter Kris Flanders tells PEOPLE. “We were camping, we were boating. They were just amazing parents. I hang out with my parents now because they are so much fun.”Love really is infectious. The Peasleys still keep it playful after all the years and it's the most important reminder that while love is patient and love is kind — it also can be fun too. Even in their late 80's, Shirley and Harold Peasley still bring out the 15-year-old spirit in one another, and it's beautiful.Love Is More Than Just Grand GesturesIn the end, it's not just about the stolen moments or the grand celebrations — it's about the everyday gestures, the quiet conversations, and the unwavering support that define their love story. Harold and Shirley Peasley remind us that love knows no bounds and that, sometimes, it's the unexpected twists that lead to the greatest love stories of all.Perhaps the real secret is looking at everyday as a new adventure with the one you love — whether you're sailing the seven seas or just picking up a salmon filet from your local supermarket!More from Goalcast:Teen’s Struggling Dad Works Hard to Make Ends Meet – So She Takes a 25-Mile Detour to Do This Before PromMan Makes a Promise to 11-Year-Old Neighbor – Keeps It Going For Over 20 Years for This Special ReasonTeen Refuses to Go to Prom With Her Classmate in Front of 2000 People – Crushed, He Comes Up With a New Plan

They've Been Divorced for 27 Years, but When His Ex-wife Got Sick, He Was the First to Step Up
Family

They've Been Divorced for 27 Years, but When His Ex-wife Got Sick, He Was the First to Step Up

When couples get divorced, most exes shut the door, lock it, and throw away the key. It's not just the end of a chapter, it's the end of the whole dang book.But for Megan Tai's parents, divorce, as it turns out, wasn't the end of their story.Nearly THREE DECADES later, her dad walked back into her mom's life after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometrial cancer. He didn't just show up. He stayed; honoring old love, loyalty, and vows at a time when she needed it the most. A Cancer Diagnosis Brings Love Back AroundMegan's parents met more than 30 years ago in California. Her father, originally from Hawaii, was stationed there during his time in the military.They fell in love and had two children, Megan and her older brother. Shortly after Megan's birth, the couple separated. Her dad returned to Hawaii and her mom became a single parent, raising the kids on her elementary school teacher salary.For more than 20 years, they lived completely separate lives. And then came a devastating cancer diagnosis."Fast forward 20+ years later to my mother's diagnosis - my father was one of the first people by her side when she was released from the hospital."Megan Tai via GoFundMeMegan, who works full-time in domestic violence services and is also a graduate student studying Marriage and Family Therapy, moved back in with her mom to help.Overwhelmed with trying to take care of her mom alongside keeping up with her work AND school, Megan was struggling.So, her dad stepped up. In an incredible act of love, he left his life in Hawaii, hopped a flight back to California and moved in. TikTok Video Goes ViralIn a gutwrenching TikTok clip, Megan shares snippets of her parents battling cancer...together.It may only be 20-seconds long, but boy, it packs a punch. She captions it: "POV: Ur parents have been divorced for 20+ years and ur dad's still the first one there when your mom gets diagnosed w Stage 4 cancer."In the video, Megan's dad lovingly helps his ex with her exercises, spots her going up the stairs, and keeps her company, reading with her and playing video games. Take a look:According to Megan's GoFundMe, this is the first time in her 27 years that she's seen her parents live together under one roof. "He did everything - helped her exercise (even when she felt like she couldn't), cooked her meals, took her out on drives, picked up her medications, and so much more," Megan writes. "They talked for hours. They bickered like they were still married. They laughed.""They helped me see them as they were when they were younger."Megan TaiAnd in doing so, not only did they work on healing her mom, but it also helped to heal a lot of childhood trauma for their daughter.Reaction to the VideoSo far, the video has garnered a staggering 8.1 MILLION views in just one week. Because...LOVE. And while they may not be IN love with each other, it's clear that despite everything, love remains.And it turns out, these exes aren't the only ones to honor a life and love they once shared. A number of people came forth to share their own stories. "My parents divorced 30 years ago and when my mom was on her death bed, my dad came to visit her often with goodies and they told each other they loved each other," wrote Hi_Dee Aye.MVP10210 commented, "My father held her hand when she passed. They were so close. Divorced 25 yrs by that point. Never saw my father cry ever until that woman died.""Parents divorced 20+ years too. Dad was hospitalized 2 weeks, my mom insisted he come stay with her after he was released so he wasn’t alone during recovery. It really is beautiful," said Lon."I took care of my ex-husband during hospice. I loved the life and children he gave me. I owed it to him," shared Brenda Carmichael Da.Enduring Bond of FamilySometimes people just don't fit as a couple and marriages end. But as Megan's parents prove, that doesn't mean that the love just ends with it. No matter how their marriage ended, at some point in their lives, Megan's parents obviously loved each other very much — and that love still counts for something. Even 20-plus years later.As one commenter so aptly put it, "Love has so many forms. This one is pretty freaking great."And it's a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love and the lasting impact it can have.Ultimately, Megan's parents' story serves as a poignant reminder that while marriages may end, the unbreakable bond of family always remains.More from Goalcast:Man Takes Care of the Bills for 4 Decades – After He Passes Away, His Wife Makes an Incredible DiscoveryWoman Has a Dream About the Same Baby for Months – Fights to Adopt Her Husband’s Dead Ex-wife’s SonTeen With Cancer Invites Taylor Swift to His Prom but She Rejects It – Then She Does This