Babies, Bouquets, and a Big Surprise

Your good news roundup from Happily!

Summer’s heating up—and so is the good news.

This week, we’ve got a Marine surprise reunion that’ll make you tear up in the best way, a nursing grad who crossed the stage with a baby in arms, and a doctor who gave free care is paid in kind when he needed help with his own medical bills.

Plus: cupcakes disguised as flowers, science-backed ways to unplug (without panic), and happy headlines to carry you into the weekend feeling lighter.

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Quick Lifts ❤️

Feel good stories from Happilynews.com guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Nursing Graduate Carries Baby Across Stage After Juggling School, Work and Military

Jada Hargrove overcame sleepless nights, a high-risk pregnancy, and military service to finish nursing school with her newborn by her side. So when she graduated, she knew she needed her son at the ceremony.

Stepdad in Tears After Discovering Stepdaughter’s Baby Shares His Name

He stepped up to raise her as his own, and now she’s honoring him in the most meaningful way.

Boy Called to Principal’s Office Bursts Into Tears When He Sees Marine Brother

Ten-year-old Koen thought he was in trouble - but it was actually the surprise of a lifetime.

Happy Headlines 📰

It’s not all doom and gloom out there. Here’s some positive news items from publications around the world.

❤️ Doctor gave free care to patients for decades–now they’ve raised $280,000 to pay for his cancer treatment

🍪 Girl Scouts donate 14,000 boxes of cookies bound for soldiers serving in the military

🧶 Netflix released a documentary about a prison's quilting club. Now, they're 'overwhelmed' with donations

🆘 A woman's heart suddenly stopped. Two passing nurses saved her life

⚖️ Rough sleeping to be decriminalised in England and Wales, it’s hoped other nations will follow suit

💊 ‘HIV-ending’ drug could be made for just $25 per patient a year, say researchers

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She’s Frosting the Competition 🍰

Cake, not flowers!

They look like flowers…but take a bite and surprise…they’re cupcakes.

What started as a creative lockdown hobby for mom-of-three Macey Nemer has bloomed - quite literally - into a full-blown business that’s delighting sweet tooths worldwide.

Macey had zero baking experience when she first picked up a piping bag during the pandemic. But after falling in love with the calming art of cupcake decorating, she began experimenting in her kitchen by tweaking recipes, perfecting frosting techniques, and dreaming up a way to turn cupcakes into something truly eye-catching.

Her latest creation is the world’s first standing cupcake bouquet, a stunning, flower-shaped treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

The world’s first standing cupcake bouquet.

Each bouquet is hand-piped, petal by petal, to look like a lush floral arrangement—but it’s entirely edible.

Her creations have gone viral on Instagram, racking up millions of views and attracting requests for everything from weddings to movie premieres.

📷 See her work on Instagram: @thebakedbouquet

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Digital Detox Ideas That Actually Work – And Won’t Stress You Out

Let’s face it – most of us are chronically online. Whether it’s scrolling TikTok during breakfast, answering emails on the couch, or falling asleep to a Netflix binge, our screens are constant companions. It’s no wonder that digital burnout is real—and growing. According to the Digital 2024 Global Overview Report, the average person now spends 6 hours and 40 minutes online every single day¹. That’s nearly half our waking life – and it’s taking a toll. Enter: digital detox ideas.

A digital detox doesn’t mean moving to the woods or smashing your smartphone. It’s simply about hitting pause, setting boundaries with tech, and making space for rest, clarity, and connection. And it’s something many of us are craving. A 2025 randomized trial published in Computers in Human Behavior found that structured breaks from smartphones led to meaningful reductions in screen time and improved focus⁴.

Not sure where to start? Here are 12 science-backed, practical digital detox ideas that anyone can try – no drastic lifestyle overhaul required.

1. Try a 24-Hour Phone-Free Day

This one’s bold but powerful: commit to a full day without your phone. Let close contacts know you’re unreachable, hide your device, and go old school for 24 hours.

Even short-term breaks like this have been shown to improve self-regulation and mental clarity⁴. It’s a reset button for your brain.

2. Embrace the “One Screen at a Time” Rule

Sometimes it’s not about cutting something out of your life completely, but reducing it. Multiscreening – watching TV while scrolling social media – is a fast track to brain fog. So try this: pick one screen and stick to it. Watch a film without your phone. Work without 14 tabs open.

This type of mindful use can help reduce overstimulation and restore attention span⁴.

3. Create No-Phone Zones at Home

Designate specific areas of your house – like the bedroom or dining table – as no-phone zones. Leave chargers in another room to make the habit stick.

This is especially helpful for sleep hygiene. Studies show screen-free bedrooms are linked to better quality rest and less nighttime anxiety⁴.

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

Sergeant Josh's secret return home delivered an unforgettable surprise for his kids 😭🇺🇸 

*Studies show that watching cute, heartwarming videos can boost your mood. So sit back and start your weekend positively!

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Have a great weekend!

~ Team Happily 😊

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