This year, we've done a lot of laughing. We've done a lot of crying. With the sooner-than-you-know-it approach of 2015, there's no better time to take a look back at the most touching and poignant stories this year had to offer. Here are eight moments and videos that captured our hearts, offered us some much-needed perspective, and brought us all back down to earth. See even more touching stories on POPSUGAR Tech.
This is the story of Joey Johnson, a paraplegic veteran who stood for the first time since his life-altering accident in order to dance with his wife on their wedding day.
In lieu of a wedding reception or tropical honeymoon, newlyweds Mark and Ismini Svensson dedicated their funds toward spreading kindness and giving back. Their travels across the country went so far as to inspire them to start Stay United, a nonprofit dedicated to bettering the health and education of children.
Filmed by Brandon Stanton, creator of Humans of New York, this 100-year-old woman recounts the immense love between her and her late husband throughout their many years together. You may not be able to hold back your tears after hearing Moe's beautiful advice to Shirley before he passed.
Brittany Maynard's tragic story was undoubtedly one of the most captivating and heart-wrenching of the year. After being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and given only six months left to live, Maynard decided to take her life into her own hands by choosing death with dignity. She is survived by her loving husband, parents, and friends.
When this couple promises to be there for each other "in sickness and in health," they truly mean it. On May 16, 26-year-old Brittany was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before her operation on May 30, her boyfriend threw her a surprise presurgery party and oh, he also proposed in the most adorable way.
Allie and Noah from The Notebook, meet your real-life match. Don and Maxine Simpson were inseparably married and deeply in love for nearly 62 years. The two — who were both battling grave illnesses — were together holding hands until their final, fleeting moments. They passed away within hours of each other.
Charlotte and Ken, a homeless couple living in Seattle, were able to celebrate their anniversary in style after another couple who was doing charity work found out that the two had been married for 14 years and were never able to have a proper celebration.
Janine's life was completely derailed when she tragically lost her fiancé only 52 days before their wedding. As a way of healing, she decided to do an underwater "trash the dress" photo shoot, her way of freeing herself from the loss. She knew that it was something that John, her late fiancé, would have wanted her to do. The photos that came out of this project are incredibly beautiful and visibly emotional.