Facing a major medical procedure is a daunting prospect, but one man was met with a touching act of love that has captured the hearts of millions.
The night before his brain surgery, his girlfriend, Kiya McLaurin, gathered his closest friends and family to read his favorite childhood book aloud. The emotional moment, which was shared in a viral TikTok video that received over 3.6 million likes, was a testament to the powerful support system surrounding him.
McLaurin, 22, told Newsweek about what inspired the moment, and how her boyfriend, Tucker, has fared since the procedure.
McLaurin said she and Tucker were dealing with the sudden diagnosis of a brain tumor that needed to be removed. In a bid to provide comfort, McLaurin decided to read his favorite childhood book, The Giving Tree.
“It was hard to explain why I thought reading the story was the right thing to do,” McLaurin said. “None of us wanted the night to end.”
The Shel Silverstein story holds a special place in his heart, not only because it was his mother’s favorite—but also because it inspired his personal motto.
“Ever since I have known Tucker, he has talked about this book,” McLaurin said, adding that her boyfriend would often say, “‘Trust is like a tree.”
She explained the meaning behind the phrase: “‘It takes a long time to grow a tree, just like it takes a while to build real trust or a solid friendship. But once it is grown and has strong roots, it takes a whole lot to tear it down.’”
A Room Full of Love and Support
As McLaurin started reading in the hospital room, the mood shifted.
“I was acting like it was just a normal thing, and then, about three pages in, I found myself really getting into it and trying not to cry,” she said. “You could feel the shift in the room as everyone got quiet and actually started listening.”
In that moment, McLaurin said she felt “an overwhelming sense of home and belonging, knowing we were surrounded by our people and those who love us through everything.”
The emotional weight of the reading was not lost on Tucker’s friends. While many were surprised by the unexpected gesture, they quickly became immersed in the moment.
“One of his friends right after said something like, ‘Wow, that got way more serious than I thought it was going to be,’” McLaurin said. She added that the video shows everyone was “completely tuned in”—no phones, no distractions, which reveals something special about the character of Tucker’s loved ones.
A Long Road to Recovery
The surgery, which was a vital first step, went as well as they all could have hoped for, according to McLaurin.
Tucker is now at home recovering in a “familiar space.” The couple’s relationship, which began with their first date and has been inseparable ever since, has only been strengthened by the experience. McLaurin made a promise that she would “stay by his side through it all” and has been a constant presence at the hospital and during his recovery.
“At 22 years old, you do not really think something like this will happen to you or to someone you love, and it pushes you into high gear when it comes to loving and existing out loud,” McLaurin said. While the couple have a long road ahead, one thing is for certain—she is determined to walk it together.
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