r/MadeMeSmile • u/mindyour • Feb 19 '25

Wholesome Moments Her 85-year-old neighbour hand-delivered an invitation to his birthday party.

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128.7k Upvotes

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5.3k

u/Sleepy-Giraffe947 Feb 19 '25

This truly made me smile!! He had so many invitations in his pocket, I hope everyone invited was able to attend, because that spread looked amazing! You could tell he put in a lot of effort. I wish I had a neighbour like that. 🥺

3.3k

u/mindyour Feb 19 '25

Follow-up

1.3k

u/Gemfrancis Feb 19 '25

Oh thank god. I just wanted to know that people showed up.

638

u/soulagainstsoul Feb 19 '25

I would have been furious if the neighbors didn’t attend.

442

u/amesann Feb 19 '25

I was so scared to click the follow-up because I didn't want my heart to get broken. This is the best possible outcome! Doug is a treasure.

109

u/ImurderREALITY Feb 19 '25

Come on. Doug wouldn't have wanted that.

85

u/snuFaluFagus040 Feb 19 '25

That's so Doug of you to say. ❤️

93

u/JollyReading8565 Feb 19 '25

Ikr , I’m not in a mental state for another “pop pop made all the grand-kids burgers but no one showed up” post 😭

52

u/Misophoniasucksdude Feb 20 '25

It reminds me of this heartbreaking video I saw of a young woman (maybe 20-23, if that), who was breaking down making decorations for her younger sister's first birthday since their mom had passed. She was asking for advice making decor and stressing that the RSVPs weren't coming in. Local moms came out in FORCE. There was a mini pony, it was like a kids party from a tv show.

I saw the first video and was so devastated I was too far away to help, but the warmth seeing the update was so amazing (and bittersweet)

3

u/Enigma_Stasis Feb 20 '25

Oh God, not pop pop.

49

u/Impressive_Main5160 Feb 19 '25

4 people didn’t make it and they better have a good excuse

5

u/OwnSuit5785 Feb 20 '25

Sick, injury, or bereavement are the only exceptions

4

u/HanaLuLu Feb 20 '25

And someone's wedding or birth.

2

u/OwnSuit5785 Feb 20 '25

Or on holiday, traveling

9

u/Lisarth Feb 19 '25

I would've been heartbroken forever. I don't think I'd have recovered to be honest.

1

u/OkTransition3447 Feb 19 '25

Literally just imagine no one showed up. That would have been the most sad thing ever

58

u/Linzcro Feb 19 '25

Me too! But he probably got more than he bargained for LOL

We should be celebrating and giving our attention to people like this who are kind, fun, and silly instead of the shitty people.

13

u/Federal-Durian-1484 Feb 19 '25

I love that people on social media sent him supplies for the party. I needed a humans are kind story. I need more content like this!

11

u/OkDot9878 Feb 19 '25

It’s like that old post about the grandpa making burgers for the family and nobody shows

7

u/pixietricksterxo Feb 19 '25

Aw stuff like this breaks my heart. My mom told me that one time at the grocery store, when I was 4, there was an elderly man (probably a widower) shopping with only a couple of cans in his cart, and I immediately got so sad I started to cry. I'm still like this.

2

u/Gritsgravy Feb 20 '25

Well the cops never showed up.

2

u/ernestuser Feb 20 '25

Disappointedly, cops didn't show up.

1

u/Rasputin_mad_monk Feb 19 '25

Me too. This made me very happy

1

u/Blitzwulfe Feb 19 '25

Agreed. I'd be dragging ppl out of houses to avoid the sad grandpa. He looked so happy!

2

u/kgreys Feb 20 '25

The whole world showed up! Lol

1

u/SirkSirkSirk Feb 20 '25

Same. I saw the footage at the end and was like, this guy put a lot out and... is she the only one that showed up?

422

u/ibeeflower Feb 19 '25

I had to stop watching because I was bawling and I’m sick. So incredibly sweet and beautiful in a time where everything is so darn ugly.

38

u/StopStalkingMeMatt Feb 19 '25

Feel better soon! 💛

16

u/ibeeflower Feb 19 '25

Thank you!

2

u/TheArmadilloAmarillo Feb 20 '25

Hydrate and rest friend! Being sick sucks.

1

u/ibeeflower Feb 20 '25

Thank you! Good advice. I’ve been on best rest since Monday trying to get rid of this pneumonia.

31

u/Mostlymadeofpuppies Feb 19 '25

I’m going to blame the baby I’m growing for my crying. I just adore Doug.

13

u/No-Possibility4586 Feb 19 '25

Congratulations and feel better. I haven’t grown a baby in 25 years and still cried

12

u/ibeeflower Feb 19 '25

Aww congratulations on the baby! I adore Doug too. I’d love to have a neighbor like him.

7

u/Mostlymadeofpuppies Feb 19 '25

Thank you! Hopefully some day my husband and I can be the Doug’s of our neighborhood when we can buy a house.

2

u/Then_Hearing_7652 Feb 19 '25

We all want connection. Society is frayed. This country is destroying itself from the inside out. My grandpa would be 109 if he were alive today. He knew every neighbor of his. There was community. It would be mind blowing to him that you could not know your next door neighbor, now that’s the norm.

3

u/ibeeflower Feb 19 '25

Aww that’s a beautiful story about your grandpa. My parents are elderly (dad is 83) and they know their neighbors and kids very well. They all exchange food, invite each other to celebrations, and generally just care about each other. I don’t have that sort of dynamic with my neighbors. I tried waving at them when we moved in, introduced ourselves, and have been ignored. So my husband and I just keep to ourselves , but it’s not what I grew up with either.

I do think we want connection and I commend Doug for doing something like this and putting himself out there.

2

u/1057-cl121v3 Feb 19 '25

My wife pooped out our 3rd baby 2 months ago, he just started noticing the world around him and smiling and cooing at everything, particularly ceiling fans. His older brother was also bffs with Fanny McSpinnyface, I don’t know what it is but babies love them.

Eventually you’ll get to the “dada, I love you. You’re my best friend.” And getting called a superhero when a boo-boo needs kissing.

It’s hard work doing what you’re doing and it’s going to get even harder when yours gets here but it’s so so worth it and they are so amazing.

54

u/redditproha Feb 19 '25

Where did this originally go viral?? Crazy to get around the world response in a couple days

92

u/mindyour Feb 19 '25

Tiktok. She posted it a week or so before his birthday. I remember seeing it on my for you page.

71

u/HealthySchedule2641 Feb 19 '25

My husband was watching this on tiktok. Absolutely massive response and they live streamed it. He even put Doug's winter party on our family calendar to make sure he tuned in. 😅

10

u/FaultAffectionate558 Feb 19 '25

I’m upset my fyp didn’t bring me back to the party

1

u/DoctorJJWho Feb 20 '25

Did the male host say “you’ve been sent popcorn, booze, and coke” lmao

195

u/WearyEnthusiasm6643 Feb 19 '25

this just made my year.

45

u/BuriedComments Feb 19 '25

Sitting here weeping quietly in my shrink’s waiting room. I swear they’re happy tears this time!

33

u/denewoman Feb 19 '25

I was scrolling down to find the follow up - thank you for posting this link!!!!

2

u/Turneroff Feb 20 '25

The kicker at the end when he said he’s Canadian! Loved the whole clip.

2

u/purple_lass Feb 20 '25

Right? And we're only in February! 🤣

38

u/blissed_off Feb 19 '25

The follow up is even more beautiful and touching. I am not active on any social media other than Reddit so I had no idea this blew up and was a thing. That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing.

17

u/sillybearr Feb 19 '25

He loves America and he's Canadian. We all need more Doug!

13

u/karsaninefingers Feb 19 '25

And there I was worried that not enough people showed up. Thank you!

36

u/ash0000 Feb 19 '25

Oh dear, my eyes are leaking

5

u/Ecstatic-Engineer-23 Feb 19 '25

Me too, what's up with that? 50-60% of MadeMeSmile posts makes me grab my Kleenex.
Am I just broken?

6

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '25

No. You're human.

10

u/meldiane81 Feb 19 '25

I did not stop smiling the whole time!!!

9

u/Helmett-13 Feb 19 '25

Fuckin' A, this is fantastic!!

2

u/zombie_kong Feb 19 '25

Amazing!

More of this please!

2

u/freckledfarkle Feb 19 '25

I love everything about this. Humanity ✅
Kindness ✅ Reaching out to others ✅ Recognizing loneliness ✅ Decreasing loneliness ✅ Neighbors helping neighbors ✅ Spending time with seniors✅ Compassion ✅ Community ✅ Laughter ✅ Memories made ✅

2

u/Cachemorecrystal Feb 19 '25

No fucking way, people celebrated this nationally? That's so sweet. Feb 15th is now officially Doug's Winter Party Day.

3

u/inezmilholland Feb 19 '25

His last lines before they throw it to Al made me lose it. What an awesome dude. Thanks for posting this video.

4

u/No-While-9948 Feb 19 '25

I don't like that media and celebs got involved, makes me very nervous lol

I like that it's brightening lots of people's days but part of me wishes it just stayed in the neighbourhood.

5

u/alwayzbored114 Feb 19 '25

Yeah they talk about that in the video. It's embarrassing, and I hope the original poster talked to the old man about it later, but he does say that despite all of that if it makes the world a better place and inspires more people to have community parties, that's an overall win

2

u/El_Grande_El Feb 19 '25

There are literally tears streaming down my face rn. Thank you for being you Doug

1

u/Pitiful_Yogurt_5276 Feb 19 '25

It never said birthday party anywhere in the video

1

u/Temporary_Talk_1995 Feb 19 '25

Now this is the kind of trends we need❤️ Cheers to Doug's Winter Partyyyy!!!

1

u/cinnamon-toast-life Feb 19 '25

That was such a sweet and respectful interview. It made me smile for sure!

1

u/facelessbich47 Feb 19 '25

I’m sobbing?

1

u/raccooninthegarage22 Feb 19 '25

I can’t believe I’m just learning about this. Jeez I would have totally had a Doug winter party

1

u/Important-Sign-3701 Feb 19 '25

Thank you! Fantastic Link!

1

u/Great_Hambino2022 Feb 19 '25

That’s fantastic

1

u/_Alex_42 Feb 19 '25

Doug seems like an amazing person 😊

1

u/Pretty_Cow_1602 Feb 19 '25

Yay!! The update we needed!!!

1

u/Pitiful_Winner2669 Feb 19 '25

Awww people all over threw a winter party! How friggin cool.

1

u/bebejeebies Feb 19 '25

AAHHHHHH so amazing. Let's start a tradition. A new national holiday the day after Valentines is Doug's Winter Party. We'll start a subreddit for it so everyone can post pictures and/or livefeeds so people around the world can attend virtually.

1

u/CantSeeMyPeepee Feb 19 '25

did the anchor say Doug was flooded with coke from donations after the party?

1

u/DirectorFowler_87 Feb 19 '25

Thanks for the follow-up. Doug is such a sweetheart.

1

u/VNM0601 Feb 19 '25

Host: "You've been flooded with cards, and letters, and boxes of popcorn, and booze, and coke and whatever you need."

We missed a damn good party!

1

u/strawberry_bubz Feb 19 '25

This is so beautiful

1

u/PetiteInvestor Feb 19 '25

I'll watch this when I get home, not ready to be emotional at work.

1

u/NewPlastic5425 Feb 19 '25

Doug needs a national party day

1

u/Qugmo Feb 19 '25

This is so cute!

1

u/EmperorGrinnar Feb 19 '25

I'm glad he had a good time.

1

u/Irrish84 Feb 19 '25

I was not shocked to hear he was Canadian.

Thanks for sharing the follow up mate

1

u/Hurricane--Ian Feb 19 '25

thanks for sharing

1

u/SlowExamination3225 Feb 19 '25

Thank you for the follow up, I'm glad to know that people showed up,

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '25

Oh I love Doug 😂 this is so amazing!

1

u/Onslaughtered1 Feb 19 '25

Damn I had the biggest smile watching this. Melts my heart. Needed to see this

1

u/Any-External-6221 Feb 19 '25

We’re all so starved for this.

1

u/Tea50kg Feb 19 '25

So cute I can't 😭 ♥️ I was so scared nobody would show up omg!!

1

u/RainbowsAndBubbles Feb 19 '25

Stop it! This is the news I needed today

1

u/taking_journeys Feb 19 '25

I'm so glad this worked out. I got punched in the throat watching the video. What a beautiful thing for people to come together for him.

1

u/Pastrami-on-Rye Feb 19 '25

HE IS SO CUTE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

1

u/Marmoolak21 Feb 20 '25

Honestly.. this is kinda sad. The fact that this is treated as some extraordinary event is sad. Having block parties/neighborhood parties and knowing your neighbors was just the norm prior to the internet, but we've all become so isolated. It's seen as weird and strange to talk to your neighbors uninvited sometimes and seen as noteworthy to simply invite your neighbors over for an event. That used to be normal.. it's just sad how we've traded away our sense of community in favor of the internet. It's such an amazing tool to stay in touch with people, but it encourages us to stay isolated physically from those around us.

I wish it was just more normal to interact with your community more. I truly think that all this self imposed isolation is the root of our greater societal problems with the resurgence of the alt right and racism. How can people be convinced to think about the broader community if we keep shutting them out?

Le sigh.. here I am sounding like a boomer lol

1

u/Korrasami159 Feb 20 '25

This honestly is making me sob right now. The world needs this so bad rn!!!

1

u/VeggieTwelve Feb 20 '25

What a beautiful moment and a wonderful person. These are the kinds of things that make a difference in a community.

1

u/No-Investigator3775 Feb 20 '25

My heart 😭😭😭 I needed to see this, thank you!

1

u/LoveIsALosingGame555 Feb 20 '25

This is so sweet.I can't stand it

1

u/blunthuskiness Feb 20 '25

It would have been nice if the cops did show up and joined the party.

1

u/SignificantAd3931 Feb 20 '25

I totally would have called the local police line (non emergency) and had a local patrol car stop by and say there’s a noise complaint 🤣🤣🤣

1

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '25

Is he alive now?

1

u/AKAlicious Feb 20 '25

This is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

1

u/GDRaptorFan Feb 20 '25

I love that there were Doug Parties all over !! What a cool story, the follow up really made me smile 😀

1

u/issacsullivan 19d ago

I laughed with thenhost said people wete semding “booze and coke and anything else he needs.” I hope he meant the soft drrink.

43

u/frolicndetour Feb 19 '25

10/10 spread, would party with Doug

1

u/hiddensonyvaio Feb 19 '25

I’m having serious FOMO over here

1

u/galaxyapp Feb 19 '25

Smile, cry, whatev.

1

u/littlebrwnrobot Feb 19 '25

be the neighbor you want to see in the world

1

u/HelloAttila Feb 19 '25

We all need neighbors like Doug. What an incredible dude. At that age you don’t have many birthdays left, but as a reminder regardless of your age. ALWAYS celebrate your birthday!!!

1

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '25

Smile?? Mann I cried my eyes out, this was so beautiful

1

u/MrMeteorite23 Feb 20 '25

DOUG RULES!!!

1

u/crumble-bee Feb 20 '25

It made me cry