Happy Friday! 👋 If your week’s been a mix of “Is it summer yet?” and “Why am I still this busy?”—you’re not alone. Luckily, this edition brings some sunshine. We’ve got a McProposal too good to miss, a once-gloomy, windowless school that’s now literally glowing, and a son’s graduation surprise that had us reaching for tissues. Plus: a soda can turned into a camera (yep) that we can all try making at home, and a dead-simple summer reset you’ll actually want to try.

Let’s jump right in👇

Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here!

Quick Lifts ❤️

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

Man Proposes to McDonald’s Superfan Girlfriend at Her Favorite Golden Arches

From Happy Meals to heartfelt moments—this McDonald’s love story is the real deal 🍟

Isabella Borgesi’s love of all things McDonald’s runs deep – from family meals every Thursday as a kid, through getting a job at her local restaurant at 14, becoming a manager at 16, and now being a general manager of a franchise that owns 26 McDonald’s across Pennsylvania, with around 70 staff.

So there was only one way her boyfriend could propose in a very special McMoment.

Windowless Classroom Transformed After 70 Windows Were Added, Seeing Student Wellbeing Soar

Let there be light! 🌞

A once-gloomy elementary school in Illinois with zero classroom windows just got a major glow-up - and the impact is huge. Eisenhower Elementary added 70 windows thanks to Windex’s “Windows of Opportunity” project, transforming dark, windowless classrooms into bright, sunlit learning spaces. Since the update, teachers say student well-being has improved, attendance is up and kids are participating more. Science backs it up: natural light boosts mood, focus, and even test scores. Turns out, sunlight might be the most underrated school supply of all. *

*This story is part of a paid partnership.

Proud Son Dresses Immigrant Parents in His Cap and Gown to Say Thank You

The heartfelt gesture brought his parents to tears—and captured hearts online.

Martin Jr. made his master’s graduation unforgettable by dressing his immigrant parents in his cap, gown, and hood - thanking them for the sacrifices that helped him succeed. His father, who only completed fourth grade, and his mother, who reached middle school, beamed with pride as he honored their journey. “I wanted them to feel that their hard work and sacrifice was worth it,” Martin said.

Happy Headlines 📰

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

💃 Elementary school teacher's dance videos raise nearly $20,000 to pay off student lunch debts

📴 Young adults are powering a new trend…taking a break from the internet with the offline club

🎓 Blind mother of 5 graduates from college with honors alongside her guide dog

🎖️ High school students restore 500 veterans’ graves to mark Memorial Day

🧬 Potential new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease discovered, something that affects more than 55 million people worldwide

🐎 Horses on a Kentucky farm are helping men build sober lives, gain work and reunite families

💊 A 19-year-old won $100,000 for inventing a cheaper, faster way to make antiviral drugs out of corn husks

🏃‍♀️ Runner wins ultramarathon 6 months postpartum while making time to breastfeed during race

💸 This company is doing so well that it is giving $27 million to its staff

🐥 Thousands of chicks adopted after being found abandoned in USPS truck

Smileworthy Snapshots 📸 

A unique, sometimes quirky, but always eye-catching photo feature each week.

From Trash to Timeless 📸

Photographer Ian Ruhter is transforming litter into working pinhole cameras.

While hiking in Lake Tahoe, Ruhter noticed discarded soda cans dotting the landscape. Instead of walking past them, he collected the trash and built what he calls “Caneras”—fully functional cameras made from two cut cans, photo paper, and a pinhole made with a safety pin. No chemicals, no lens, no fancy gear - just sunlight, tape, and patience.

And the results are eerie, but stunning:

Ian leaves each Canera in scenic spots for days, sometimes weeks, letting the light slowly expose the photo paper inside. Once retrieved, he scans the images digitally - though even a smartphone snap of the paper negative works just fine.

The response? Huge. With nearly two million likes on Instagram, students, teachers and parents have praised the idea for being eco-friendly and beginner-friendly. Ruhter hopes others will join in, creating their own Canera’s and turning litter into art all while keeping nature beautiful in the process.

🌍 Make your own: Watch Ruhter’s tutorial

Support our mission to spread positive news worldwide while treating your loved ones (or yourself!) to some positive merch.

As a Smileworthy subscriber, unlock exclusive discounts with SMILE15 at checkout 👇

Live Life Happily 😃

Exclusive Happily+ content. Here we share tips from experts in their fields on how to live a happier, healthier life.

How to Reset Your Routine for Summer

A fresh season is the perfect excuse to shake things up

Summer has a way of creeping up on us. One minute we’re powering through our workdays with our heads down, the next the sun is out until 9pm and everyone seems to be in vacation mode but us. If you’ve been feeling stuck, sluggish, or just a bit off your game, now is the perfect time to reset.

The shift in seasons is a natural cue for reflection and recalibration. And the beauty of summer? It invites play, lightness, and new energy - exactly what many of us need. Here’s how to shake off the cobwebs, refresh your daily routine, and make the most of the sunnier months.

🌿 Step 1: Start With One Small Habit

Don’t try to overhaul your entire life in one weekend. Instead, pick one small habit that will have a ripple effect. It could be:

• A morning walk before emails

• A 10-minute outdoor lunch break

• Swapping your evening scroll for reading on the porch

Small shifts compound. Choose something that brings joy and anchors your day in the present.

⏳ Step 2: Shift Your Time Anchors

Your body clock naturally shifts in summer thanks to longer daylight hours. Instead of fighting it, lean into it.

• Try waking up 30 minutes earlier to enjoy the morning light

• Shift heavy work to cooler morning hours

• Use the extra evening light to cook, garden, or walk

This seasonal adjustment can help you feel more aligned, alert, and less rushed.

🌺 Step 3: Schedule Joy On Purpose

Summer routines often drift because we wait for fun to happen. Flip the script by scheduling joy first:

• Block out time for weekend hikes or beach days

• Plan a "summer series" (e.g., Friday pizza night, Sunday bike rides)

• Take a half-day just because

Purposeful joy boosts motivation and prevents burnout. You don’t need a vacation to feel like you’ve had one.

🎮 Step 4: Audit Your Screen Time

Longer days mean more daylight to enjoy - but only if we’re not glued to a screen. Do a quick screen-time audit:

• How often are you indoors by default?

• Can you take meetings or calls outside?

• Try a screen-free hour each evening

Even 20 minutes of daily sunlight has been linked to better mood, sleep, and vitamin D levels.

✅ Step 5: Revisit Your "Why"

Summer is a great time to reflect on your bigger picture. Ask yourself:

• What do I want this season to feel like?

• What do I want more (or less) of in my life?

• Am I living in alignment with what matters to me?

Journaling on these questions can help you make tweaks that align your schedule with your values - not just your to-do list.

☀️ Why It Matters

A seasonal reset isn’t about productivity for productivity’s sake. It’s about living on purpose. As research shows, routines that prioritize sunlight, physical activity, social connection, and rest are linked to improved mental health and happiness.

And when you take time to reset your routine intentionally, you’re far more likely to feel present rather than just pushing through.

Ready to give your days a little sunlight-powered shakeup? Choose one small shift today - and let the season do the rest.

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

When gender reveals go wrong! But her face said it all…🤣🎀

Read the full - hilarious - story here.

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

P.S. Fancy spreading some extra sunshine? ☀️ Your support helps us keep the good vibes flowing and brings these heartwarming stories to life. If you're feeling the Happily spirit, why not buy our team a virtual coffee? ☕ It's like a warm hug for our hearts, and it fuels our mission to share the best of humanity with you. Just click here to show your support! buymeacoffee.com/happily