Watching the news may not have been an indication, but 2013 wasn’t just the year for government shutdowns, mass shootings and political scandals.
Although, those political scandals…aka Anthony Weiner’s anatomical discretions, were pretty hilarious.
But 2013 was also the year of humanity. It was a year full of positivity. And in the face of disheartening news, death, loss and grief, it was a year for hope.
Here are 15 stories that made us remember that the world isn’t all that bad (in no particular order).
BatKid
Aww Factor: 10
OK, seriously. What was cuter than watching 5-year-old Miles save San Francisco from the Riddler and the Joker all while wearing a miniature Batman suit? Quite frankly, nothing. And the fact that Miles was in remission from leukemia and the Make A Wish Foundation’s convinced an entire city to act the part of Gotham for him is just too much for our hearts to take. I mean, President Obama even got involved! Definitely a story we’re carrying into 2014 for days that seem a bit darker than most.
Same-Sex Homecoming Queens
Aww Factor: 9
This year, there was no shortage of stories that made us proud that society was on the “right side of history.” That meant gay marriage was legalized in many states, anti-gay sentiments were quickly denounced, and a generation of children didn’t see what was wrong with two people of the same sex being in love. And then there was this: A high school in Calabasas, California crowned a same-sex couple Homecoming Queen and Queen. The prize went to Lily Cohen and her partner Greta Melendez after they were nominated by their classmates for the titles. “I was just shocked because it’s just amazing to see how much our school has changed in the past four years,” Melendez said. “When I was a freshman, we wouldn’t have gotten that reaction. I went through a lot of bullying.”
Teens Save Kidnapped Girl
Aww Factor: 8
And speaking of amazing teenagers, there was that time when Aaron Arias, 19, and Jamal Harris, 17, were looking to flirt with some girls ended up saving a life. While looking at a woman in the back seat of a car next to them, this happened: “It’s me and another guy. So we’re checking out the girl in the backseat because, we’re like, ‘OK, she’s kind of attractive,’” Arias told the 911 dispatcher, “and then all of a sudden the guy is turned back, looking at us. We looked in the backseat and the blonde female in the back was saying ‘help me’ or something, whispering it.” They promptly alerted authorities and officers arrived to save the woman, who was in fact being abducted. Maybe they should hook up with Batkid and save the world?
Sandy Hook Choir
Aww Factor: 10
Less than two months after their classmates were gunned down in Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Sandy Hook choir stood alongside Jennifer Hudson and belted out “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl XLVII. It was an emotional moment that symbolized strength, unity, and love in the face of adversity — and a sign that evil did not win on that tragic day in December.
Teens Leave Money In Unlocked Store
Aww Factor: 8
And you thought teens were destructive little people with uncontrollable angst. In August we learned of four teenagers who, instead of robbing an unlocked store (like the media would expect them to), left money for the items they needed on the counter. After walking around Buddy’s Small Lots in New Jersey, looking for a clerk and waving at the security cameras, the four high school football players left cash on the counter, including sales tax, for the items they purchased. Did you hear us? INCLUDING SALES TAX! Doesn’t get more heartwarming than that.
Mailman Saves Burning House, Finishes Route
Aww Factor: 7
Seriously, maybe BatKid and the two teens who saved the abducted woman should link up with Detroit mailman Darrian Crutcher and be a new and improved crime fighting team. In October, Crutcher was on his daily route when he noticed a house on fire. He grabbed a garden house to extinguish the blaze and saved homeowner Carolyn Patterson. And when firefighters finally arrived, Crutcher picked up the rest of his mail and finished his route. Now if we all just had the same drive, work ethic and selflessness as he possesses.
This Picture Happened:
Aww Factor: 7
We’re don’t know the full story behind the sleepy stranger, but we do know that Tova Ross, a commuter in NYC, was a saint for letting the exhausted train rider lean on his shoulder during a ride on the Q train. “I simply remembered the times my own head would bop on someone’s shoulder because I was so tired after a long day,” he recounted to Tova Ross of Tablet Magazine. It wasn’t a very “New York” thing to do…but it was the most human thing he could do. And hopefully the viral picture reminded our society of the goodness of people…and humanity. Hopefully…
Cheerios Commercial
Aww Factor: 10
This summer the cutest commercial of all-time was released. It featured a mom, a dad, and a little girl with glorious brown curls that stole our hearts. Problem was, at least a fraction of the nation wasn’t very receptive to the fact that she was biracial. Yep, that was still a thing in 2013. But enter kids. They make everything better. And when shown the Cheerios commercial that caused such a stir, they invalidated every racist opinion on interracial relationships and mixed-raced children ever. In short, the world will be a much better place when they are adults.
106-Year-Old Earns High School Diploma
Aww Factor: 9
In a real testament to the adage, better late than never, a 106-year-old woman in Ohio finally earned her high school diploma in February of this year. Reba Williams completed high school in central Ohio, but was denied her diploma because she refused to read a book assignment by a teacher. She said she had read the book once, and didn’t want to read it again. But earlier this year, The Mount Vernon Board of Education approved issuing her diploma, making her a graduate and shaming all of us who have ever given up. Talk about inspiration.
Boston Bombing Love Connection
Aww Factor: 9
In April terror gripped Boston after two pressure cooker bombs detonated at the Boston Marathon finish line. Three were killed and more than 270 were injured — including James Costello, a 31-year-old from Malden, Massachusetts. He suffered from serious burns to his arms and legs after the attack and had to undergo rehabilitation and multiple surgeries. And in the face of adversity, the unthinkable happened. He met the love of his life, who also happened to be the nurse assisting him. In December, he finally proposed to Krista D’Agostino, turning a tragic incident into a fairy tale love story. Read about their courtship here.
Man Takes 50 Homeless People To Dinner
Aww Factor: 7
In December, a wealthy Ohio developer decided to take 50 of Akron’s homeless to a gourmet four-course meal for his 42nd birthday. “Generally, people are afraid of the homeless,” Testa told the Akron Beacon Journal. “The homeless are not lepers. Homelessness can happen to anyone.” Testa told reporters that he used the donations he received for his birthday to offset the cost of the dinner, which included spinach quiche salad, potato leek soup, braised beef short ribs and a chocolate mousse desert. According to the Journal, diners were offered seconds and takeout bags with leftovers. And food isn’t the only thing they left with. His daughter got in on the good deed, knitting scarves for the group to take with them when they left. And here’s some better news — Testa is currently developing a 60-unit apartment building exclusively reserved for veterans, homeless, and disabled people. If that doesn’t make you all warm and fuzzy on the inside…we don’t know what will do the trick.
Hundreds of Strangers Attend WWII Veteran’s Funeral
Aww Factor: 7
We learned the real power of the internet in November when thousands posted and re-posted a notice in a local newspaper asking that service personnel attend WWII veteran Harold Jellicoe Percival’s funeral. The 99-year-old died at a nursing home on Oct. 25. and had no surviving family or friends. In no time that small newspaper clipping was shared hundreds of times online and on Veterans Day, hundreds of strangers showed up in droves at the Lytham Park Crematorium in England to show their support for the deceased veteran.
Boy Asks Santa For Christmas Wish On Behalf Of Bullied Sister
Aww Factor: 10
Earlier this year, an 8-year-old boy wrote a letter to Santa asking for all his little heart desired come Christmas day. But when Karen Suffern read her son Ryan’s letter, the tears came immediately. She discovered that Ryan, who originally wanted a remote control car, was actually hoping for much more for his twin sister, Amber. “Dear Santa … I wanted a (remote control) car and helicopter, but I don’t want that anymor. Kid at school are still picking on Amber and its not fair. I prayed that they will stop but god is bisy and needs your help. Is it against the rules to give gift early?” He then he asked Santa for the greatest gift of all for his favorite sister. “Can you ask Big Time Rush to come to Amber’s birthday party? It will make her so happy. If you can’t get them to come, but just get her everything she asks for. Thanks, Santa.” The letter landed the family an interview on Good Morning America, where Amber said of her brother’s letter, “You don’t have to do that.” His reply? “Yes I do.” And oh, she totally got to meet Big Time Rush Band that day.
School Kids Name Day After Bullied Classmate
Aww Factor: 10+++…Hell, make it 11
And then the most aww-worthy thing of 2013 happened. In November a group of young boys from Williams Intermediate School in Bridgewater, Massachusetts rallied around 6-year-old Danny Keefe, a student being bulled for his speech disorder. Danny, who dresses up everyday in a suit and tie, is also the water boy for the Bridgewater Badgers D5 PeeWee football team and to show that he was loved, the Band of Brothers (as they call themselves) created a Danny Appreciation Day. “We all dressed up in suits and sponsored Danny because he’s been getting picked on bad at recess and we didn’t like that because he’s a band of brothers for us and he’s a good friend for us and we don’t want to see him getting picked on,” a friend of Danny’s said. Seriously? Pass the Kleenex…we just can’t.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, Screengrab
