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Real Life Stories

You’ve got to read it to believe it! These true stories seem almost too good to be true, but we promise that we couldn’t make these up. From love to loss and from survival to unbelieavable coincidences—we’ve got the wildest stories to keep you informed, entertained, and inspired.

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How I Survived an Awkward Family Dinner with My Humor Intact

Stand-up comedian Zach Zimmerman recounts their first family dinner in four years, proving with their trademark humor that you can go home again

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20 Sweet Stories About Moms (That Will Make You Want to Call Yours)

Mother's Day 2022 is coming up on May 8. These readers' stories offer much-needed mom love and inspiration.


13 Sweet Vintage Letters to Santa—from Almost 100 Years Ago

Sweet, vintage letters to Santa from Texas farm kids recall a simpler, more generous time.


Mitch Albom on What It Means to Be a Real Father to a Special Orphan

What is a real father? An orphan in Haiti teaches ­­bestselling author Mitch Albom a wonderful new definition.


A Teacher Told Her Students to Draw What They Were Thankful for—This Was One Student’s Moving ...

As this teacher learned, some of the most moving lessons are taught by students.

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10 Clever Ways People Are Celebrating Birthdays Under Quarantine

While COVID-19 may have limited people's abilities to actively go out and celebrate their birthdays, that doesn't mean creative celebrations...


How Star Wars Helped Me Bond with My Dad

The film holds a special place in many people's hearts, but its place in my heart also includes my dad.

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16 Things We’re All Looking Forward to Once Social Distancing Ends

Real-people share stories about what they're most looking forward to doing after self-quarantine restrictions finally let up.


The New Quarantine Hobby I’m Never Giving Up

From making stained glass to growing sourdough starter, 14 people share their new passions—and some great ideas to fill your...


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12 Famous Sibling Rivalries Throughout History

Just because you're related to your brother or sister doesn't mean you have to like them. Here are the best...


This Family Raised a Baby Goose for a Year—20 Years Later, It Returned Home

When two adult geese left their gosling behind, a human family stepped in to raise him. Many years later, the...

24 Stories About Meeting Santa That Will Fill You with the Christmas Spirit

Santa Claus has a lot of kids to visit each year, but he never fails to get his job done....


17 Reasons My Favorite Teacher Changed My Life

It only takes one person to make a difference in the life of another—and teachers are often that person. Check...


What It’s Really Like to Live with Someone with Autism

While living with someone who has autism may have plenty of challenges, overall, the experience can be an absolute gift.


This Girl Wrote Her Dad a Letter to Cope with His Death—and Got a Response

Desiree was only four when she lost her Dad. She desperately wanted to talk to him one last time.


10 Christmas Stories That Will Melt Your Heart

Delightful tales to help you embrace the spirit of the season.

One Father’s Battle Between Working and Giving Attention to His Daughter

In this award-winning story, originally published in Reader's Digest in 1969, a father learns to embrace the chaos of his...


15 Cringe-Worthy Stories About the Worst Roommates Ever

And you thought it was bad when your roommates forgot to clean their dishes.


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Real Teachers Reveal What It’s Like Teaching a Genius

If you spend enough time teaching, you're bound to eventually encounter a student with truly unbelievable brainpower. Here's how 10...


This Grandma Found the Secret to Staying Close to Her Grandkids—Who Live 800 Miles Away

The tech-savvy grandma will have you rethinking your family reunions, guaranteed.


This Woman Is Raising Money to Open a Salon Accessible to People with Disabilities

Cat Rongitsch, whose stepdaughter has spina bifida, dreams of a place where anyone can feel safe and comfortable getting a...



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This Powerful Story Will Convince You to Stop Saying “Let Me Know If You Need Anything”

What does someone who has suffered a sudden trauma and grief most need?


Behold, the Old Barn that Was Transformed into a Basketball Court

When they saw how their friends made an old barn the perfect space for a pickup game, this family decided...


These High Schoolers Wrote Letters to Kurt Vonnegut. This Is What They Got in Response.

Your homework assignment from a famous novelist: Make art. Then destroy it.

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Doctors Thought This Disabled Boy Would Never Speak. Boy, Did Alexander Turner Prove Them Wrong.

Alexander was a strangely motionless and silent baby, and doctors knew of fewer than 100 cases like his in the...


I Was Afraid to Tell My Grandmother I Was Gay. Her Reaction Left Me Speechless.

For years, I lived in fear that my conservative grandmother would discover I was gay. Once she did, the reality...


4 Heartwarming True Tales of Vintage Christmas Kindness

These true stories from readers like you prove that, deep down, Christmas has always been about the joy of giving.


My House Burned Down, and Here’s What It Taught Me: One Mother’s Heart-Pounding True Story

"My family and I survived the blaze, but we thought we’d lost everything else. We were wrong."


“Pull Yourself Together!”: Rob Lowe on the Unexpected Tears of Sending His Son to College

The Emmy award-winning actor had no idea how hard it would be to send his favorite Patriots fan off to...


14 Dad Stories That Display the Kindest, Bravest, Wisest Fathers in the World

In 100 words or less, readers share their poignant tales of the bond between father and child