grandparents

Many parents have heard the saying, “The days are long but the years are short.” That adage also rings true for many grandparents these days, especially the ones who helped care for their grandchildren before they grew up.That’s why TikTok’s latest trend is resonating with so many people. Because sometimes it’s just nice to relive the good old days and have a busy household again.A Heartwarming SurpriseRecently, many adult children have started showing up at their grandparents’ homes unannounced and ready for a sleepover. They come in with surprises and smiles, then inform their loved ones that they’re staying for the night.Many grab their siblings or cousins and show up as a group, setting the stage for an impromptu get-together. It's reminding senior citizens of what life was like when they were younger, and they’d take their grandkids for the night.Jesse Armstrong is one such TikToker who jumped on the trend. She called up her cousins, and they came from across the states to surprise their grandparents in Michigan just before Christmas.“I texted all of my cousins in a huge group chat, and I said, 'We have to do this. It would surprise them, and they would love it,'” Armstrong told Good Morning America. Sure enough, when eight of their grandchildren showed up, they did.“All night long, if the room got silent for a minute, [my grandfather] would tear up and he would just say, 'I just can't believe you guys did this. This is so exciting. This is the best present I could have ever asked for, and I want you all to know I love each and every one of you so much,'" Armstrong said.“It was just so emotional because of all the health things he's been going through.”A Grandparent’s ReactionSixty-seven-year-old Pam Fair had been warned by her daughter, Brandi, that her three grandkids might come to surprise her in Mississippi shortly before Christmas. But when they didn’t show up, she washed her face and put on her pajamas. Then the doorbell rang.At the front door were her three grandkids, aged 21, 23, and 23, along with two of their partners.“Surprised their Nana with a sleepover,” Brandi captioned a TikTok reel, which has received more than 5 million views. “They haven't done this since they were little.”Years ago, Brandi worked nights as a nurse, and the kids would stay with Pam. Recently, Pam has been lonely, though, and the surprise was very welcome. The family stayed up looking at old photos and playing games.“She was so excited,” Brandi told Today of her mom’s reaction.An Action Goes ViralSocial media can be full of weird trends, but many people agree that this isn’t one of them. Instead, many are praising the grandkids for organizing these sleepovers. Others are sharing memories of their own grandparents, some of whom have since passed on.“This is the best trend in internet history,” wrote one person.“I would give anything to have an adult sleepover at my nan’s. I miss that woman beyond belief. I hope I’ll have this one day with my own grandchildren,” another person added.“The thought of my grandkids showing up at the door would make my year!” added someone else.Planning the Perfect SurpriseThis trend is so beautiful because, at its core, it reminds us to always make time for the people we love. In that vein, there’s no better time than the present to share your presence. Pick up the phone and chat with your parents, siblings, or besties. Plan that lunch date. Or go ahead and surprise your grandparents — with or without making a video.If you do hop on the trend, remember to bring food, snacks, and any other necessities to keep the stress off your grandparents. Clean up before you leave, too!At the end of the day, no one really knows how much time we have, which is why it’s so important to make the most of the time we do have. Spending our moments with loved ones and creating these kinds of memories is invaluable, and not all the money in the world could ever buy them.More from Goalcast:Second Grader Makes a Promise to Himself – 16 Years Later, His Grandparents Didn’t Expect Him to Do ThisFourth Grader Nearly Loses Her Grandpa to Heart Disease — So She Starts Obsessively Jumping Rope to Save Lives‘Hi Megan, It’s Grandpa’ – Woman Answers Sad Text from Her Lonely Grandfather in the Best Way