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Ever wondered how power couple, Beyoncé and Jay-Z keep their love alive for 16 years? Hint: luck has nothing to do with it. If you've been blaming your failed relationships on "the wrong person"—think again. It may be time to reconsider who is really at fault.
At 29 years old, Chris Punsalan isn't exactly living a typical, free-wheeling 20-something life. While other people his age are hanging out with friends, partying, traveling, or chasing their dreams, he's at home — the primary caregiver for his 97-year-old grandmother. He's been taking care of his "Lola" for the past eight years. And while it's not a path that many (or let's face it, any) 20-somethings would choose, he wouldn't change a thing. How a 22-Year-Old Became the Full-Time Caregiver to His GrandmaIn 2015, Chris and his family, who live in Nevada but are originally from the Philippines, were faced with the difficult decision of what to do with his aging grandmother. Bedridden and suffering from severe arthritis and osteoporosis, she could no longer take care of herself. The family had two options: send her to an assisted care facility or hire a full-time caregiver. In his final semester of college, Chris didn't have any opportunities lined up after graduation. So, he decided who better to look after his beloved Lola than him? It was, after all, what she had done for him for years growing up. "She took care of me and I would hate to see her go to homecare, which is where I feel most grandparents go in America. They go to home care because nobody is able to take care of them."Chris PunsalanBarely an adult himself, Chris became her full-time caregiver. Anyone who has ever taken on the role of caregiver, even temporarily, knows it's not an easy task. It's extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. You are always putting the needs of someone else before your own. Chris spends his days doing everything for his bedridden grandmother, who was once an elementary teacher for more than 20 years. From toileting and diapering to meal time and bath time, he even makes certain that she does daily affirmations and exercises for her hands. Even Chris admits that it can be "extremely isolating." But despite the challenges, he has no plans to stop. The Unlikely Duo Go Viral A digital content creator and musician, Chris is passionate about preserving memories and has been sharing his life online since 2014. In 2019, he decided to give the world a glimpse into life as a caregiver. The short 57-second clip went insanely viral with over 6 MILLION VIEWS and he and Lola became overnight sensations. Turns out, people really love tuning in and following along on their journey. "I receive hundreds of messages daily from former, current, and future caregivers that tell me their stories and remind me that I am not alone on this journey."Chris PunsalanInspired by the reaction his initial video received, Chris decided to keep going and now he regularly shares about their daily activities and heartwarming interactions. He also posts a lot of helpful tips for others who find themselves in similar caregiving situations.And he doesn't hold anything back. Not only does he share the obvious joy and incredible bond the two share but he's very candid about the hard bits as well. Including bearing witness to his grandma's failing body and her fight with dementia.People love them so much that Chris has amassed nearly 5 million followers between TikTok, Instagram, and his YouTube channel. Chris didn't just change his grandma's life, he changed his own as well. And like his Lola, he doesn't take anything for granted. “My grandma is probably the most grateful person that I know. Anytime somebody helps her, anytime somebody hands her something, anytime something is happening with or to grandma, you can always guarantee a thank you at the end of it,” says Chris. “I think that's what makes her enjoy life so much is that she's grateful for everything. She can't move and she's bound to her bed. But because she's just extremely grateful for even the smallest things in life, it just makes her life more worth it.”Cherish Your Loved OnesWhile Chris may have discovered fame with his grandma, it's the precious time they have to spend together that means the most to him. He knows that the time they have together is finite and that for now, his life is best served serving her.And that's the biggest takeaway that Chris has learned over the years he's spent caring for his lola."Cherish your grandparents and cherish your loved ones in general," Chris says. "Life is so fragile. It's such a cliche to tell your loved ones you love them because you don't know the next time, you know, that you're gonna get to see them or get to spend time with them."The reality is that if we're lucky, the ones we love will grow old and so will we. And while not all of us are in a position to become full-time caregivers, we are all capable of cherishing and honoring our loved ones.More from Goalcast:Grandmother With Hungry Grandkids Asks to Speak to Manager – His Unexpected Reaction Is Recorded by a StrangerTeen Finds Out Her Grandmother Has Been Saving Pennies for Four Years – For One Very Special ReasonTeen Learns His Grandmother Has Only 6 Months to Live – Plots With His Sister to Make Her Last Moments Unforgettable
*This story appeared on Love What MattersAny parent knows that dining out with kids can be like Forest Gump's famous box of chocolates: "You never know what you're gonna get."It's a real-world game of chance, with the winner getting to actually sit down and enjoy a delicious, hot meal prepared and served by someone else. Ah, bliss. Sometimes, however, the odds are not in your favor. Despite your best efforts, your child just isn't having it. And they have zero qualms about letting the entire restaurant know. And in these moments, what parents need more than anything else isn't judgment. It's grace, understanding, and a whole lot of kindness. Thankfully, that's just what this mama found.The Reality of Raising a Child With AutismJamie Heustess and her husband Chris just wanted a nice family dinner out. It had been a long day with their six-year-old autistic son, Ian. So, after an awards ceremony, karate lesson, and a trip to Walmart, the family headed to their local Cracker Barrel. Raising a child with autism presents its own unique set of challenges. Situations that other children may find overwhelming can be doubly so for kids who struggle with social and sensory issues. While Ian is usually able to make it through at least part of a meal in a restaurant, on this particular day, he was done before it even got started. The breaking point came when Chris gave his son a couple of Finding Dory mystery figure boxes to open while they were waiting to order. After opening up both boxes and discovering that neither of them actually contained Dory OR Nemo, Ian lost it. Unable to calm him down, Chris took him home while Jamie stayed behind to order takeout. In a Facebook post shared on her personal page, Jamie wrote about the incident and the "realities of autism" many people don't understand. "Cue meltdown... he does not understand it is the luck of the draw," Jamie said. "His cries escalate....making it impossible to think straight. So.....i am sitting waiting on a to go order while Daddy takes him home.......Autism is not easy.....some days it totally sucks.... "A Cracker Barrel Waitress Gives Dinner To-Go With a Heaping Side Order of CompassionAs Jamie tearfully explained the situation to their waitress, Kailyn, she couldn't help but have her own meltdown.But not because she was embarrassed by her son. No, she was worried about what the other diners thought of him. Being judged by others stings but when that judgment is directed at your own child it feels like death by a thousand daggers. In a subsequent Facebook post, Jamie wrote: "By this time I was crying and having a moment, not because I was embarrassed that my son is autistic, but because he is a good kid and I didn't want anyone to think he was just a spoiled kid being a brat."Jamie HeustessKailyn was "gracious and sweet" and promised that she would get Jamie's order in quickly. Fifteen minutes later she reappeared with Jamie's take-out — free of charge. In a sweet act of kindness, the waitress decided to pay for the meal herself out of her tips.(After hearing about what she did, her manager, James, reimbursed her the money.)"I started crying all over again. I asked if she was sure and she reassured me it was taken care of, not to worry. I cried walking out, sure the other customers and employees thought I was crazy."An Act of Kindness Turns Into an Unforgettable Message of EncouragementOut in the parking lot, Jamie noticed a piece of paper attached to the bag. She assumed it was the receipt but on second glance realized it was a handwritten note. Not only had Kailyn paid for her meal, but she also took the time to make sure Jamie knew exactly what she thought of her. "Your child is amazing Mommy, be strong. Keep your head up. You are doing a great job. Have a great night. Your server, Kailyn." While the gift of a free dinner was certainly nice, the words of encouragement were priceless. At a time when she needed it most, a stranger told her exactly what she needed to hear. Jamie was so moved by the note that she hung it on her fridge.Parenthood has a lot of amazing moments but it has a lot of difficult ones too. Having someone validate us and support us in the midst of the muck goes a long way. The reality is that we are living in an age where judgment, hatred, and division are rampant. And it doesn't just apply to parents. But we can each do our part to change it. Rather than tearing each other down, we can build each other up. One kind word, dinner, or note at a time.More from Goalcast:Boy With Autism Walks Into Restaurant to Pick Up a Menu – When He Doesn’t Come Back, His Dad Finds Out What’s Going OnSchool Janitor Takes Boy With Autism Under His Wing – So His Mom Raises $35,000 in Response10-Year-Old Girl With Autism Bullied At School — Turns Out Her IQ Is Higher Than Einstein’s
*Featured image contains photo by Julia M Cameron and Katia Damyan As a parent, you want nothing more than to shield your kids when bad things happen and sometimes, you'll go to great lengths to make sure their innocence is protected. So, when one dad lost his job during the pandemic (alongside nearly 255 million other people worldwide), he did what he had to do to make sure his kids were blissfully unaware of just how desperate times had become. The Lengths One Dad Went to in Order to Preserve His Children’s InnocencePhoto by Mikhail NilovDesperate times call for desperate measures and for this anonymous dad that meant having to turn to his local soup kitchen to help put food on the table. And while it took a lot of courage to ask for help, he didn't want his children to worry. To conceal the harsh reality of their situation he decided to engage in some seriously ingenious bait-and-switch maneuvers. Instead of letting his kids know where the bacon actually came from, he cleverly repackaged it into their favorite restaurant to-go bag before bringing it home. Because when it comes to kids and dinner? There's nothing more exciting than take-out (okay fine, for adults too).The soup kitchen volunteer who witnessed the tearjerking act shared about it recently in a video on TikTok. And while the clip may only be 6 seconds long, I guarantee you'll be thinking about it for a long time to come. “Thinking about when I worked at a soup kitchen during Covid and a man who lost his job would come by and pack the food we gave him into a Panera Bread bag so his kids were excited thinking they were eating restaurant food every night,” Amber Mirrelle wrote in the text overlay. "I hope him and his family are doing alright," she added.How a Simple Act of Love Made a Significant ImpactIn the midst of just trying to survive, all this dad could think about was making certain that his kids had literally no idea. With one small gesture, he turned what could have been scary and sad into something exciting. It wasn't just about putting dinner on the table; it was about preserving a sense of normalcy and shielding his kids from unnecessary worry. It was about ensuring that they felt safe and secure during a time that screamed anything but. And people are having a lot of emotions. The TikTok video has gone viral with a whopping 3.3 million views in just a few days. Commenters were deeply moved by the dad's actions. "The things people do to protect their children. I bet he thinks about you too. ❤️," wrote one."You know that was a core moment for them dad brought Panera bread every day 🥹," wrote another."That is king behavior. Shield the babies from pain and stresses. Provide even if you gotta ask for help. Hope he is doing well!"Other commenters shared similar experiences with their own parents."My dad would go to thrift stores to buy toys and would put them in Target bags to act like he bought them there 😭.""Reminds me of when I got all dollar store gifts for Christmas. My dad told me later. It's still a core Christmas memory. All those gifts. 🥰"Millions of Families Are Struggling With Food InsecurityWhile this happened during COVID-19, the reality is that things haven't gotten better. In fact, thanks to skyrocketing inflation and massive sticker shock in the grocery stores and at the gas pump, more and more people are struggling to make ends meet. Local food banks, soup kitchens, and hunger relief programs feed more than 49 million people every year in the United States alone. That's one out of every six people. And as the cost of living increases, so do the statistics.Donating money, nonperishable food, or even just your time, to food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens in your local area or neighborhood can go a long way in helping people who need it most. More from Goalcast:Unemployed Man Searches for Stranger Who Returned His $273M Lotto Ticket — and Hopes to Share His EarningsUnemployed Father Struggles to Provide for His Family – So He Started Working on the StreetSteve Harvey Was So Moved by an Unemployed Audience Member’s Struggle – So He Decides to Change His Life
It's no secret that when it comes to domestic duties such as childcare, cooking, and cleaning, women tend to take on the lion's share of the work, even when both partners are working full-time.To be fair, a lot of husbands do shoulder their fair share of the housework, however, let's face it, many do not. The domestic gender gap is REAL.So, when a husband took to TikTok to sound off on NOT HELPING his wife with chores and their four young children, people weren't exactly blown away by surprise. But what was unexpected was his reason why. And suddenly? This guy's gone from zero to hero in the eyes of 7 million people and counting. Why a Husband Doesn’t “Help” His Wife Around the HouseTexas UPS driver, J.R. Minton, grew up in a "traditional" household. His mom did typical "motherly" things while his dad brought home the bacon and left the domestic duties alone. But Minton's determined to do things differently. The father of four young kids ages one to seven, took to TikTok to share his message on partnership.His video, which has been viewed by millions, starts off with him contentiously stating, "I don't help my wife cook. I don't help her clean, do laundry, take care of the kids — none of that."Uh-huh. Or, as one commenter expressed, "I was ready to fight 😅👏🏾." (You and about 7 million other women, give or take.)But hold on a minute, Minton's not done. And another commenter's decision to hold her breath and "trust the algorithm" pays off. Because this is where he jumps the tracks and takes a hard left."Because I do what I am supposed to do as a father and a husband. I cook. I clean. I do the laundry. I take care of the kids. I can't help my wife do those things because they are my job too."J.R. Minton"Change the way you speak. Change the way you think and grow the f--- up and be a man," he adds. Mic drop.Husband’s TikTok Take On Sharing Responsibilities Goes Viral and People Are Loving ItResponse to Minton's video was swift, racking up 1.4 million likes and nearly 16,000 comments. People came out in droves, praising him for his perspective.On the flip side, however, it seems that many households still follow conventional gender norms and attitudes, with a number of men viewing doing basic duties as "helping" their partners. "Had to tell my husband stop saying, '…for your mother,' to the kids. Empty the dishwasher FOR ME? No. Those are everybody’s dishes." wrote one."My ex used to say 'I did the dishes for you.' FOR ME! Thanks and bu-bye," wrote another.Others revealed that when it comes to domestic labor, they're on their own. "My husband sometimes doesn’t even flush the toilet.""Not me seeing this while crying in the bathroom cause I'm just so damn exhausted."In a follow-up TikTok, Minton thanks his fans but warns that he's not some "unicorn." He's a husband and dad, just doing what his wife does every single day. A fact he had driven home during a recent trip to Target.“I was wearing the baby and I had two kids in the cart, and this lady comes up to Brittany and she’s like, ‘Oh my God. Is this your husband!? Look at him. You should take a picture of him,’” Minton told Today. “I get so much credit for doing nothing. How low is the bar?"Trust me, it's low. Society has a tendency to perceive moms and dads VERY differently. Fathers tend to get a lot more credit for showing up as parents in ways that moms are expected to do all the time. Marriage Is a PartnershipAs far as we have come in balancing the scales, the reality is that we still have a long way to go in shifting attitudes and achieving true equality where domestic labor is concerned. And science proves it. According to a recent study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey, women spend 37% more time doing domestic tasks than men. And if the woman happens to be bringing home the majority of the bacon? They're actually taking on an even greater share of the housework as per a study from the University of Bath.Obviously, as Minton proves, this isn't the case for every family. There are plenty of husbands and fathers who view their marriages in a similar light — as a partnership. Minton just hopes that his message hits home with the ones he thinks need to hear it. "When you're in a partnership with your spouse, it's not help," Minton said. "Everything is a shared responsibility in the house when it comes to taking care of each other's needs, the children's needs, especially the needs of the home."At the end of the day, every family needs to decide what works best for them. And when it comes to the division of domestic labor? It should be what is equitable and fair for both partners. More from Goalcast:Woman Learns Her Exhausted Co-worker Bikes Three Hours to Work – So She and Her Husband Come Up With a PlanWoman Has a Dream About the Same Baby for Months – Fights to Adopt Her Husband’s Dead Ex-wife’s SonStrangers Accuse Kenyan Woman of Marrying Her Husband for Money – The Couple Hits Back With the Perfect Response
When a dad in Virginia decided to celebrate his final child support payment for his daughter by paying it in PENNIES and dumping all 80,000 of them on his ex-wife's front lawn, his daughter proved who really has the "cents" in the family.Dad Dumps $800 Worth of Pennies in Daughter’s Yard in Cruel StuntPhoto by PixabayAccording to News 6 Richmond, the unnamed father "acted out of 18 years of pent-up frustration" when he rented a landscape trailer, filled it with pennies, and proceeded to dump them all over the yard of the home his daughter shares with her mother.Perhaps he should have considered taking up yoga instead."I just turned 18. When I was in the middle of class, my dad came by. He had rented a trailer," Avery Sanford, a senior in high school, told the news station."He pulled up in front of the house and turned the trailer on so it dumped out all the pennies on the grass and my mom came out and was like, 'What are you dumping in my yard?' She didn't know who it was until he shouted, 'It's your final child support payment.'"The whole bizarre incident was caught on the home's security camera.Understandably, Avery was shocked and extremely hurt by her father's actions. Despite not having seen him in years, it still packed a painful punch. And not just for her, but for her sister as well. “It is really hurtful and damaging to your kids when you do things like that,” her mother said. “And it doesn’t matter how old your kids are — it doesn’t matter if they’re a young child or an adult. The actions of your parents will always have some effect on you.”And while he obviously thought he got the last laugh, he thought wrong. How a Daughter Transformed a Painful Act Into Something GoodTurns out that in this case, the apple DOES fall far from the tree. Far far away. Instead of letting the weight of the situation break her, Avery chose to turn one bad deed into a force for good. After picking up every last penny, she and her mother decided to pay it forward.Together, they donated the money to Safe Harbor, a local domestic abuse center that supports survivors of human trafficking and sexual and domestic abuse. "Turning around and donating that money to moms and children in need, I feel like that really turns this situation into a positive," Avery shared. "You can learn from it."But that wasn't the end. It was actually just the beginning. Their actions triggered a tidal wave of giving.When people learned about her father's appalling behavior and Avery's response to it, donations to the center flooded in. That $800? Turned into over $47,000. "Our online donation page just blew up. And we've gotten over $47,000 worth of donations from locally, nationally, internationally -- as far as England and beyond," said Mary Maupai, Safe Harbor's development director.Kindness Always WinsIt also seems that Avery's father may be feeling the full weight of his 80,000-penny decision. In a phone interview with WTVR, he shared that his "emotions got the best of him" and “the last thing he wanted to do” was push his daughter further away.Unfortunately, that's exactly what he did.The sad reality is that Avery is not the only child to get caught in the crossfire of her warring parents. When it comes to acrimonious divorces, there is almost always collateral damage. But despite the emotional toll her father's actions took, Avery somehow managed to channel all of her hurt and anger into an amazing act of generosity. Rather than fight fire with fire, she chose love. And in doing so, taught us all a powerful lesson in fighting anger with kindness. And kindness? Always wins.More from Goalcast:Exhausted Dad of 4 Doesn’t Notice a Stranger Watching Him Closely at Work – Is Shocked When He Finds This Note on a BillBoy With Autism Walks Into Restaurant to Pick Up a Menu – When He Doesn’t Come Back, His Dad Finds Out What’s Going On8-Year-Old Driving With His Dad Insists on Pulling Over – His Next Move Is Being Praised by Strangers
For some strange reason, things that are glaringly obvious to moms tend to be invisible to everyone else. Weird, I know.Things like the dirty dishes in the sink, or the ever-growing mountain of laundry, or that one lonely sock abandoned on the middle stair.And more often than not, moms will just deal with it and no one in the house is any wiser. In fact, moms are so good at being the "default" parent that oftentimes, their families are completely oblivious to just how much she does for them. Until she doesn't.After her husband accused her of “doing nothing around the house,” one mom decided to show him just how much “nothing” she really does. And unsurprisingly, it's A LOT.Mom Goes on Strike Photo by Ron LachA Connecticut mother of two recently went insanely viral on TikTok for going on "strike" after her husband, Brian, made a “totally spontaneous” complaint that she wasn't pulling her weight. Bless him. "The night he made the comment, I was getting the kids ready for bed, and he was cleaning up in the kitchen," Lindsay Donnelly told TODAY. "I noticed he was kind of grumpy and I was like, 'What's going on?' And that's when he made the comment about me doing nothing around the house."Rather than argue with him, she decided to teach him a much-needed lesson. For three days, Donnelly truly did NOTHING around the house. And the results are about as disastrous as you'd expect. Perfectly set to Taylor Swift’s Karma, Donnelly, 33, documented what happened after she silently quit all of it — the dirty dishes, the piles of laundry in the living room, the multiple messes literally everywhere. Over the course of three days, her once invisible labor became painfully, overwhelmingly visible.Then she left town on a girls' trip, leaving Brian to deal with the fallout. Checkmate.Donnelly told TODAY that she and Brian both have full-time jobs. She runs a social media marketing agency and he works in venture capital. They have been married for 7 years and have two kids, 7 and 4 years old.She also added that his dig was a reaction to the typical stress of trying to juggle parenting, work, and household duties, something they do try to divvy up equally. “It wasn’t an ongoing fight. It’s more of the day-to-day ‘keeping a house in order with two working parents and two little kids’ conversation."A Husband Sees the Error of His WaysBy the time Donnelly returned home from her weekend away, not only was the house "spick-and-span" but so was her car. "He told me he was sorry," Donnelly said. He also apologized to her legion of TikTok fans in a follow-up video where Donnelly sits him down to share the news that his comment and her ensuing strike were viewed by MILLIONS of people. 20.7 million to be exact.She also informed him that more than 8,000 commenters were quick to hop aboard the divorce wagon, which she doesn't plan on doing by the way. Brian took it all in stride and the two were able to laugh and find the humor in the situation. A good sign of a healthy relationship."He really is an amazing husband. That was just one moment," Donnelly said.Donnelly's strike wasn't just a retaliation; it was a statement. "I'm constantly tidying — I'm picking up shoes, I'm doing all these things that go unnoticed but add up to a lot," she said.I think it's safe to say they won't go unnoticed anymore.The reality is that women in our society tend to carry a disproportionate load when it comes to parenting and household duties. Much of which is unseen. It's why there is so much talk about the "invisible labor" and the "mental load" of motherhood.But regardless of whether or not this is the case in the Donnelly's house, we all deserve to feel seen and valued. And not just at home. Acknowledgment and appreciation go a long way in all aspects of our lives, including in our relationships, at work, and in our interactions with others.Donnelly's strike wasn't just a learning moment for her husband, it was one for all of us. A reminder to take a moment to appreciate the people around us, who contribute in so many silent ways, often without recognition or fanfare, to make our worlds a better place.More from Goalcast:Woman’s Heart Is Shattered When Her Husband Abandons Her for His Lover – Even Then, She Still Takes Care of His Elderly DadStrangers Accuse Kenyan Woman of Marrying Her Husband for Money – The Couple Hits Back With the Perfect ResponseStay-At-Home Mom’s Boyfriend Accuses Her Of Doing Nothing All Day – What She Does Next Goes Viral
The day Emily Leehan got married she wasn't just saying "I Do" to her groom, Joshua Newville; she was saying "I Do" to his 4-year-old son, Gage, as well.Not only was their wedding a union of two people in love but it was also a blending of two families and the start of their new journey together.So, the bride didn't just deliver one set of vows on her big day — she delivered two; one to her new husband AND one to her new stepson. While we're certain her vows to Joshua were beautiful, it's what she had to say to Gage and his heartfelt reaction that really takes the (wedding) cake. Spoiler alert: You're going to want to grab the tissues for this one.A Stepmother’s Heartwarming Vows to Her New StepsonAccording to CBS News, Joshua, a sergeant in the Marines, and Emily, a senior airman in the Air Force, dated for two years before getting engaged and tying the knot. Gage was just two years old when Emily flew into his life. Over the years, the two developed a special bond and it's this powerful connection that is clearly shown in the now-viral video of their sweet exchange.In the video, captured by wedding photographer Jessica Husted, Emily is reading her “vows” to little Gage as he gazes up at her. Fighting back tears she begins, “I want you to be safe and to try your hardest and to be a good person," adding, "Don't cry, baby.” Too late. Gage, overcome with emotion, throws himself at her, wrapping his arms tightly around her, sobbing. And now, literally, everybody's crying.Somehow, Emily manages to keep it together and press on."I know you and I will butt heads…" More sobs. "Except for right now," Emily jokes (because sometimes you gotta laugh to keep yourself from crying). As Joshua comforts his weeping son, Emily continues: "But I hope with all my heart that as you become a grown man, you will understand my methods and realize I have only done what’s best for you and that I love you.”She ends her vows by saying, "You are a special boy. You are so extremely smart, handsome, and kind to others." "You have helped shape me into the woman that I am today, and I may not have given you the gift of life, but life surely gave me the gift of you." Emily Newville*SOBS*Why a Stepmom Stepped UpOnce Emily finishes her vows she bends down and hugs Gage, eventually scooping him up in her arms because there's still a wedding to finish. Emily explains that she always knew she wanted Gage to be a part of the ceremony. "I wanted to involve him because when I was vowing to be Josh's wife I was also vowing to be his stepmom. I wanted him to feel special and to remind him of how much he means to me."She also knows just how special the step-parent—child bond can be. She has a special relationship with her own stepdad, who, along with her biological dad, walked her down the aisle.As for Gage's biological mother? She's sharing the love too.“As his mother I can say that she is an amazing step-mother to him,” Kali wrote in a Facebook comment. “I couldn’t have picked someone better. Gage is lucky to have her and I’m so thankful I can trust her to be there when I cannot be!”Blending families can be tricky. It comes with its own unique set of challenges. But family doesn't require blood, it requires love. Family isn't about sharing DNA; it's about sharing life. And in those times when we get to CHOOSE our family? When we get to look another person in the eyes and say, "I choose you," there's something to be said about the incredible power of that kind of love. More from Goalcast:Lifelong Bachelor Finally Gets Married at 93 – To the Woman He Met at His Sister’s Wedding in 1959Homeless Couple Couldn’t Afford to Get Married for 24 Years – Then a Stranger Throws Them a Surprise Wedding
When Simon Johnson met Shannon Lowery while gaming online, it was love at virtual first sight. "The first thing, maybe, was her smile. It sounds stupid but it's true — personality, the way she looked, obviously. She's a beautiful woman," he said.He was so sure she was "the one," in fact, that he left his life in England and crossed a literal ocean to be with her. And if that doesn't scream true love, I don't know what does. Why One Man Gave Up Everything to Become His Wife’s CaretakerMonths after arriving in Tucson, Arizona, Simon and Shannon married. But their life together was far from typical. When Simon said "I Do," he wasn't just taking on the role of husband, he was taking on the role of caregiver. Because for years, Shannon had been living in a nursing home. Weighing more than 700 pounds, and considered one of the heaviest women in the world, she was unable to take care of herself.So Simon did it for her. The newlyweds got a place together and although he admits it's been a struggle, he's never left her side. For thirteen years, Simon has done everything for Shannon — from helping her get out of bed and dressing her, to bathing her and doing all of the cooking, cleaning, and laundry.And he's more than happy to do it. In an episode of the popular reality show, 'My 600-Lb Life,' Simon shared: "Shannon needs help with pretty much everything that a normal person needs to do. Simple things really that we take for granted we can't do at the moment, so I have become her caregiver and I'm more than happy to look after her."How Did Shannon Lowery Become One of the Heaviest Women in the World?When Shannon's father and stepmother divorced, it had a profound effect on her life. By the age of seven, she weighed 100 lbs. By 13, she weighed 250 lbs. And by 17 years old, she was 450 lbs. Shuffled between relatives — with her mom, dad, grandmother, aunt, and great-aunt all taking turns to raise her — Shannon missed out on the security and stability that all children deserve. Between food being scarce at her mother's house and using food as a coping mechanism for her loneliness at her father's house, Shannon's obsession with food spiraled out of control. By the time she was 27, she had attempted suicide, was hospitalized, and moved into assisted living. Two years later, she met Simon. After being married for 10 years and not wanting Simon to have to continue caring for her indefinitely, Shannon decided to enlist some help. The Power of True LoveShe contacted Dr. Younan Nowrazadan (aka Dr. Now), the star of the show, My 600-Lb Life. Since appearing on the show, Shannon was able to lose some weight and is reportedly going to the gym three times a week. According to a recent update on Facebook, she is also waiting for news on having weight loss surgery and is following a doctor-prescribed diet. And Simon? Is right where he's always been.True love transcends physical appearances, defies societal expectations, and perseveres in the face of adversity. It is selfless and unconditional. Despite the challenges Simon knew he would have to face, he gave up everything to take care of the woman he loves, proving that when it comes to true love? It really does know no bounds. More from Goalcast: Men Warn They Would Break Up With Plus Size Woman if She Didn’t Lose Weight – But One Personal Trainer Gets Down on One KneeDad Weighing 274 Pounds Decides to Lose Weight for a Unique Purpose – To Become an Organ Donor for His SonWoman Ruthlessly Bullied By Dance Teachers For Being Overweight Breaks Stereotypes And Gets The Last Laugh
When Sharaine Caraballo, 32, along with her husband Wilson, 42, and their 5 kids moved from Texas to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, they were understandably nervous.After all, moving into a new town and a new neighborhood can be nerve-wracking. You never quite know what to expect. There are a lot of What-Ifs. "Our biggest fear moving into a new neighborhood was, 'What if our neighbors don't like us?' What if, because we have a lot of kids, they make a lot of noise and we come from a big family, so what if there's any conflict with the neighbors?" Sharaine told USA Today. "We're the only Black family in our neighborhood and the only minority," she added.But it turns out, the Caraballos had nothing to worry about. They were exactly where they were meant to be. How a Big Family Became Even BiggerPhoto by August de RichelieuTheir neighbors welcomed them with open arms, and in particular, their 82-year-old neighbor from across the street, Paul Callahan. Shortly after they moved in, he showed up unannounced with a ladder and toolbox, offering to help with home improvements. "He was coming over with tools. He’d bring screwdrivers and teach Wilson how to fix up the garage, and Wilson followed all his advice,” Sharaine recalled.A widower, Callahan had sadly just lost his wife six months earlier. Grieving and alone and the last of his siblings still surviving, he was looking for friends and ways to fill the long, lonely days. What he ended up finding was family. After learning about his loss, Sharaine and her family started including the retired Texas Instruments manager in family cookouts and holiday gatherings. But their relationship didn't stop there. For as much as Callahan was helping Wilson fix up their home, the family was helping to heal his broken heart. An Old Man and a Young Family and the Power of ConnectionThe Caraballos firmly embraced Callahan as one of their own. Now, he spends nearly every day at the house, entertaining the kids, bringing them "little trinkets" and bubbles, and sharing stories about his life. Paul isn't just a friendly neighbor, he's "Grandpa.""The kids run up to him like that's their grandfather," Sharaine, a case manager for domestic violence survivors, said. "He's like an honorary grandpa to us. My husband's father is in the Dominican Republic, so even his mom says 'Here comes your dad Paul!'" And it's not just the kids who benefit, Callahan does too. Having grown up around lots of kids, the octogenarian describes himself as a "very social person." "You get many chances to talk to people. If you don't take a chance, you may miss a friend," said Callahan. "It doesn't hurt to be nice. That's the other thing, it costs you nothing, but a lot of times, you get a better return."For Callahan, the return on his investment has been immeasurable. In fact, he's gotten a whole new lease on life, one filled with laughter, love, joy, purpose, AND family.Sometimes, families are born. But oftentimes, they are made -- crafted through meaningful relationships rather than blood. The Caraballos were looking for acceptance and Callahan was looking for a friend. What they found in each other was so much more. Because sometimes, when we least expect it, people move into our lives at the exact moment we need them the most. More from Goalcast:Woman’s Heart Is Shattered When Her Husband Abandons Her for His Lover – Even Then, She Still Takes Care of His Elderly DadTeens Approach Elderly Man When They Think No One Is Watching – Little Did They Know What Would Happen Next
