A mother was taught an unexpected lesson by her three-year-old’s description of her best friend.
Katy-Robin Garton, 46, was riding her bike with Emi on the back in a carrier when Emi requested a playdate with her friend Frankie. She goes on to speak highly of Frankie and explain why she is such a great friend – her kind words hit home for Garton and 7.3 million viewers who watched the viral Instagram video (@katyrobinbird).
Garton, a filmmaker who lives in Montana, told Newsweek: “Emi reminded me, so simply and yet with such depth, that what matters most about healthy relationships is how they build us up with love when we’re down, celebrate with us when we feel joy, and help us feel love in our hearts just by being who they are. And we do the same in return.”
According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of 5,057 U.S. adults, 53 percent report having one to four close friends, 38 percent have five or more, and 8 percent have none. Among those with at least one close friend, 72 percent are highly satisfied with their friendships, with satisfaction higher among those 50 and older (77% vs. 67% for younger adults).
During the video, Emi states Frankie is “so funny” and that she is her go-to friend when she is feeling down.
She says: “When I am super scared, I just run over to Frankie and I’m still crying. And she laughs, then I laugh and then we get better, and better and better.”
Her “epiphany,” as noted in the on-screen text, concludes with: “she is my best friend in the whole world.”
“My heart was doing the ‘squeezy squeeze’ the whole time I listened to my daughter share about her friendship with Frankie,” Garton said. “I was in awe of her insight, but I also felt a deep appreciation.”
“It struck me immediately how insightful and poignant her words were, and how deeply they apply not just to children, but to adults too. Maybe especially adults, because I think we lose touch with that truth over time.
“Kids have a way of reminding us of the most important things in life, don’t they?
“I knew I wasn’t the only one who needed to hear this.
“I had a feeling it would resonate with others, but what I didn’t expect was how many people would tag their besties, thanking them, connecting with them, honoring them.
“It’s been so special to witness. Conversations like this happen often between my daughter and me, and still… she never ceases to amaze me.“
It isn’t just Garton who is impressed, but the internet too – so far, the clip has over 604,000 likes and more than 3,500 comments at the time of writing.
“She communicates her thoughts and emotions so well,” praised one user, and another wrote: “Sent this to my [best friend forever] because your 3 year old quite literally summed up how this 43 year old woman feels.”
“We can only hope our friends talk about us when we’re not there like she talks about Frankie,” said a third commenter.
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