Who wants a pick-me-up on this dreary Tuesday? We asked readers on Instagram to share photos of good times, and here are 10 that made us smile…
“I was born in Pakistan but moved to Sweden 12 years ago to persue a career in medicine. Because of the different systems in Sweden, I had to redo high school. Disheartened, I said to my mother, ‘I’ll be 40 when I’m done, it’s too long.’ She replied, ‘You’ll turn 40 anyway, might as well be Dr. 40.’ Since then, I’ve learned Swedish, finished nine years of school, met my husband, had two kids, and finally graduated from my medical program. The photo is from my graduation day. And I was done a year before I turn 40. It felt good to receive my diploma and hear my family scream in joy.” — Sana
“In June 2022, I became a mother and saw my wife become a mother. I mourned not being able to carry children due to a health condition, but my wife stepped up with grace and went through a year of fertility treatments and ultimately IVF to help us grow our family. Seeing our daughter born was the happiest moment of my life, and I am forever grateful.” — Lauren (right) with Ashlee and their baby Eleanor
“This is my parents walking me down the aisle for my second marriage. I didn’t expect my family to celebrate it or even acknowledge it because of how conservative our community is.” — Anceeta
“Today I found out, after three years on the waitlist, that I’ve been invited to training class to receive a hearing dog! I am deaf and hear via cochlear implants. Getting a hearing dog is a life-changing step that will help me live more safely and independently. After video chatting with my mom to tell her the good news, she told me to take a picture of myself because I was glowing with happiness. So, here we are!” — Rachel
“This photo was taken just five months after my dad died. After a very numb and painful summer grieving his loss, my two friends and I drove to Maine. We did a day sail in Saco. It was sunny and windy. We ate cheese. We drank wine. And discussed nothing that I can remember. This is the very first moment that I recall feeling even remotely like myself again. A happy moment indeed.” — Destinee
“Our family recently restructured into two homes, and seeing my kids balance and support each other on this log-turned-raft at Lake Crescent in Washington made my heart swell. Siblings can be each other’s steady ship in stormy seas.” — Jeannette
“This is me in London, absolutely thrilled at having passed my driving test at 34 years old and 35 weeks pregnant. It was also the exact moment my water broke! My son was born that weekend, tiny but healthy. I joke that I should have named him Alan after the man who passed me.” — Anna
“Ten years ago, my best friends and I had just graduated college and were visiting my grandparents in Puerto Rico. When I stumbled upon this old photo, I felt awed by how much we’ve grown up since then: careers, job changes, breakups, make-ups, weddings, children, moving around the U.S. These days, we don’t see each other as often because life is full, but when we do, we laugh the exact same way.” — Julie (far right)
“I had just finished a dance routine with Dances for a Variable Population, a wonderful group that specializes in movement for older and disabled people. Bliss!” — Libby
“I came out as queer one year ago (at 37!), and last Sunday, I walked in the NYC Pride Parade. Not only was I surrounded by my queer family, but my eight-year-old daughter joined me in the parade and proudly waved her flags. It was the happiest — and most at home in myself — that I’ve felt in a long time.” — Megan
What’s one of your recent feel-good moments? Let’s cheer each other on today!
P.S. 10 more happy reader moments and happiness vs. wholeness.
(Lauren’s photo by Madeline Isabella.)
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