15 Stories That Warmed Our Hearts

Reading the news makes us feel plenty of emotions, many of which aren't good: sad, worried, frustrated, fearful, despondent. But others do the opposite, making us feel happy, hopeful, optimistic, warm, and joyful. Here are 15 favorites from the latter categories this year:

1. High School Band Saw Rival School's Team Had No Music, Took Action
2. Wisconsin Teen May Be Redefining Speedskating
3. This Lost Dog Knew Exactly Where to Go
4. More Than 3 Weeks After Quake, an 'Unexpected Groan'
5. Blizzard Savior Given Tickets to the Super Bowl
6. Boy Didn't Have a Right Hand—So His Classmates Built One
7. Waiter to Jason Derulo: 'I Can't Say Thank You Enough'
8. School Janitor Had to 'Unretire' to Pay Rent. The Kids Stepped In
9. Michael Jordan Marks His 60th With Record Donation
10. Man Stuck in Airport for 7 Months Gets His 'Perfect Ending'
11. Book Becomes Bestseller After Author's Daughter Posts TikTok Video
12. Baby Turtle Survives Treacherous 4K-Mile Swim
13. Stranger Gives Child Piano Prodigy a Stunning Gift
14. TikToker Helps Walmart Worker, 82, Retire
15. 'Miraculous': 737 Pilots Walk Away From Crash

(Read more uplifting news stories here.)