Some of the most precious moments in our lives are shared with family. Whether you’re experiencing the joys of becoming a parent, you’re watching your children hit major milestones, or you’re celebrating birthdays and holidays with those who mean the most, there are so many beautiful moments to look back on.
Luckily, thanks to the power of technology today, many of these precious memories can be saved forever in photo form. Here are some pictures that prove just how important family really is.
1. Becoming a dad
This man couldn’t help but share the moment he became a dad with the world. Just look at how adorable and tiny his little bub’s hand is. We wish him all the best in his fatherhood – he’s got a whole lot to learn, and fast!
2. Five Generation Photo
This picture was the highlight of this person’s 2014 Christmas: five generations of family, ages 93, 72, 50, 28, 0,5, all in one place. A photo they’ll cherish forever, they’re sure. While this Christmas may be a little different, we all still have our memories to hold onto.
3. 103 year-old granddad and 3 year-old daughter
There’s nothing more special than becoming a parent – apart from becoming a grandparent, that is! This grandpa looks proud as anything holding his 3-year-old daughter. There’s clearly a lot of love between the two of them.
4. Four generations
This might just be one of the most beautiful generations photos we’ve ever seen. Their matching outfits give a nod to their cultural background, and they all look stunning! We love how even baby girl has dressed up for the occasion.
5. This is family
Family means something different to everyone. This person’s dog is just as much a part of their family than their own child – and we’re sure lots of people would agree. The photo is a great way to capture this sentiment.
6. 6 generations of daughters
When this great-great-great grand-daughter was born, she was taken straight to her 111-year-old great-great-great-grandmother so they could get acquainted. Can you believe there are 6 generations of daughters in this picture? Amazing stuff.
7. Just like twins
This guy had to share the moment his brother traveled back from halfway around the world, only to show up wearing the same clothes as him. Great minds think alike, we guess! Or perhaps this is a bit of telepathy going on.
8. Dad bakes the cake
When this person’s mom died, she thought she’d have no one to bake her annual birthday cake. She’d gotten used to mom’s bakes – she’d been making birthday cakes for 44 years, after all. But two months later, when her birthday came around, dad stepped up to the table – and her heart melted.
9. Finally defeated cancer
This was a truly special moment for this mom, who just got confirmation from her doctor that she was cancer-free. And look at her son pointing proudly at her! Both of them have probably never felt more blessed in their life than right in this very moment.
10. Mare and foal
This mare lost her foal. Two days later, this foal lost its mother. Here they are an hour after meeting. Who said that family was only important to humans?
11. Granny’s tomatoes
This person’s granny wanted them to post this on the internet so that everyone in Italy could see how big her tomatoes have gotten. Bless her heart! To be fair to her, those are some big tomatoes – she could start a business selling those!
12. Finalized adoption
This beautiful couple had this photo taken when they had just finalized the adoption of their two children. You can see the joy in their faces. A special moment that the kids will be able to look back on when they’re all grown up.
13. Ready for Christmas
We have a feeling this dad might just be a big kid at heart… just look at his fancy dress efforts! Getting to celebrate Christmas is the best thing ever when you have kids. You get to feel the Christmas excitement all over again.
14. Twins
When this little girl spotted her “twin” in a store, she didn’t hesitate to run over to her excitedly. And just look how cute they are photographed together! This is proof that to children, anyone can be considered family. We hope they became BFFs from that moment on.
15. Only one Christmas present
Heartbreakingly, this little lad asked for just one present this Christmas: to have his dad come home from the army. His wish was granted – and he got to open his present early! Is someone chopping onions around here, or what?
16. Their son’s heart
Because of the love we have for our family, we can sometimes end up having to make the most heartbreaking decisions of our life. These two parents are listening to the heart transplanted from their 23-year-old son, who overdosed on opioids. Words can’t describe how they must have felt in this moment.
17. Grandma turns 100
This person wanted to shout out their “amazing grandmother”, who turned 100 at the time of their sharing the photo. This brilliant woman has survived the holocaust and lost her family during WWII. We totally agree with her grandkid that she’s a living legend.
18. Found his furever home
Placing cats and dogs with their furever families must be the most heartwarming job. This family sent a photo back to the dog rescue center that they adopted a dog from, and just look at him in his new home! We sense he’s got a long, happy life ahead of him.
19. Mom trying out filters
We all love a funny filter, and so does this mom! Her son wanted to shout her out for her recent bravery, after she had her second heart attack earlier this year. He tries to make sure to check up on his mom at least every few days to make sure they’re doing alright. That’s what family love is all about.
20. Still wearing his tie
Bless this dad, who’s still wearing the tie his son made for him over a decade ago. Perhaps he actually thinks it’s something of a fashion statement, or maybe it’s just one of the most special gifts he’s ever received. Makes a cute photo, anyway.
21. Proud mom
Just look at the pride on her mom’s face. This girl had been awarded her first school certificate of distinction. Nobody will ever know how much mom had to fight for her daughter’s right to education behind the scenes.
22. They worked for her education
This person did a graduation photoshoot with her parents in the field where they worked so hard to give her the life she deserved. She wrote: “With love I dedicate my Master’s degree to my parents. Her sacrifices of coming to this country to give us a better future if it was worth it 😭”
23. Santa dad
There are so many “Christmas character” jobs going in the holiday season that we probably all know at least one person who was a mall Santa or elf. This person’s dad was Santa at their local store. They were so surprised when they saw him – he’d never mentioned that he’d be hanging out with a turtle, of all things!
24. Big brother, little brothers
This big brother took on the most important job of them all when his mom gave birth to premature twins. While mom had a rest, he helped his dad have skin-to-skin contact with the little ones. It’s a photo that’ll bring tears to their eyes for years to come!
25. Hard-working mom
After this mom cooked all day for her family’s thanksgiving, she took a much-needed rest! You don’t have to say “I love you” to let your family know how much they mean to you. This mom showed her love through her cooking efforts.
26. The best father
Not everyone gets a day off over Christmas, and flight attendants rarely do. But instead of leaving his daughter to work alone on Christmas day, her dad bought a ticket so he could keep her company. He deserves a best dad award!
27. 5 generations in 1 picture
Here we have a baby, her mom, grandmom, great grandmom, and great-great grandmom, sitting side-by-side on the same couch. What a photo to cherish forever! We love that they all make time to hang out as a girl gang, too.
28. Pilot family
This man left the company he’d been with for 40 years, started fresh as a junior, got a new rating at the age of 58, just so he could fly with two of his pilot daughters. One daughter shared this photo to her Twitter, writing: “I cannot tell you how grateful i am for this. Alhamdulillah, i finally got to fly w my abah! :’)” Hearts. Melting.
29. Surprising his mom
Dressed in a disguise, this guy came to surprise his mom at a game. He hadn’t seen her in months, and he wanted to catch her out when she least expected it. Judging by this video, she hadn’t suspected a thing until he yelled out loud!
30. Couples who play together, stay together
Every day, this person’s parents play Mario Kart 64 to see who will make a cup of tea. They’ve done this religiously since 2001. We love this idea – a great bit of competition to keep the relationship alive! There’s probably no couple better at Mario Kart 64, by now, either.
31. First thanksgiving
Relationships don’t always work out, but children come first, no matter what. This guy’s ex-wife took his son when he was three years old. The little guy is now eight. His dad drove 1,200 miles to see him for Thanksgiving and made this – and his son said it wasn’t bad for his first time!
32. A beautiful birth
Cancer destroys families, but it also brings them closer together. When this man’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer at 7 months pregnant, they were both terrified for the outcome. But she started chemo 7 weeks ago and gave birth to a healthy baby boy early this morning! “She is more beautiful than ever,” according to her husband. Too sweet.
33. Baking grandmom
While we might get older, some of our family hobbies and traditions never die. This person’s grandmom is 93 and losing her memory, but can still roll her ravioli dough like a pro! Good for her – ravioli isn’t easy to make, you know!
34. Rose in the lake
Get your tissues at the ready, because this one’s pretty sad. A rowing club shared this picture on Twitter, writing: “This note was left on the gate at the water this afternoon. No name or number left but whoever you are, rest assured your rose is in place in the middle of the lake.” God bless them both.
35. Handmade bouquet for mom
Handmade gifts are a great way to surprise your family members, and they’re even more special when they come from someone with no experience in making the gift before. This son made a mini bouquet for his mom on Mother’s Day. He does construction by day, and has never made a bouquet in his life. We bet she was incredibly touched by his gesture.
36. His new best friend
As most of us know, our pets totally count as family, too. But some family members don’t always warm to them straight away! This person’s dad, aged 79, went from “I don’t want that dang cat” to carrying her to “her room” for bed each night. Yep, cats have that effect on people – you can’t help but love them.
37. Heartwarming adoption
We take our hats off to all the parents of adopted kids out there. Adoption isn’t easy, but it can create the most beautiful family ties that last a lifetime. 14 months ago, these parents got on a plane to adopt the little boy pictured. Today, they got on a plane to go get his sister. Now that’s love.
38. Grown-ups at the water park
You’re never too old to be a big kid with your dad! These two guys look like they’re having the time of their lives on a trip to the waterpark with their dad. Does it matter that they’re 24, and their dad is even older? Of course not! They’re just here for a good time.
39. Her first Christmas lights
To babies, everything is either a cause for either excitement or terror. In this little girl’s case, she was absolutely transfixed by the Christmas lights she was looking at. Her mom wrote: “No one has ever been as excited as my daughter seeing Christmas lights for the first time.”
40. Showing she cares
The key to a long-term relationship with your significant other is treating them with the same care and attention that you did when you first became a couple. Here is this guy’s wife thinking she’s surprising him, scraping snow off his car, after a 12 hour night shift at the hospital. He’s a lucky fella.
41. Dad’s home
Heartwarming videos of army dads coming home to surprise their kids might just be our favorite things on the internet. This little girl realized when she was making a video call with her dad, who was supposedly in Nepal, was actually calling her from inside her home. Cutest thing ever!
42. Grandparents framed the message
It’s the small things that mean the most to our family members. When this person sent a text to their grandparents, they probably never expected that grandpa and grandma would be so happy that they framed it! Have you ever seen anything sweeter?
43. Granddad’s first grandson
You don’t think you have the power to love anything more than you love your children… until your grandchildren come around. This person snapped a precious photo of their dad holding his first grandson. That’s the look of love, right there.
44. Four generations
Family goes way back, and if you have photographs to remember your ancestors by, count yourself lucky. This person’s mom showed them a picture of “4 generations,” taken in 1933. Her grandpa is the baby. What an incredible picture to have in your records!
45. Like son, like grandfather
This woman decided to keep things in the family and named her son after her grandfather. He must have been so proud! And when the little guy grows up, his parents can tell him all about the amazing person his grandpa was, and why they chose to make him his namesake.
46. Clever photo
When you don’t have a camera timer, but you still want everyone to be in the family photo! We don’t know why we’ve never taken this before – we usually have multiple people take different shots at different times, but that doesn’t allow everyone to be in the photo at the same time like this. As long as you’ve got a full-length mirror, you’re sorted!
47. Tim Duncan and his daughter
American footballer Tim Duncan has the most adorable little girl – just look at that face! This video was captured when he took his daughter to a Spurs game. We’re not sure whether she’s more excited about being at the game with her dad or being on camera!
48. Helping out a mom
Family isn’t always about blood relatives. This kind woman helped a mom calm her crying boy on a flight. He slept in her arms the entire flight and she walked him to baggage claim when they landed. She deserves all the good karma that comes her way.
49. All the generations
We love this photo idea! Here we have a great-grandad holding a picture of his son, who holds a picture of his son, who holds a picture of… you guessed it! It’d be great to do this the other way around, too, photographing each son at a certain age, generation by generation.
50. A heartwarming message
And finally, this little boy knew the financial pressures his mom was under, although she tried to keep them from him. Mom felt that she needed to let her kids have some ice cream money for school, but her son gave it back to her, accompanied by this tear-jerker of a letter. He’s selfless and mature beyond his years – and he deserves all the ice cream in the world!
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