Sometimes, we meet ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and their actions remind us how good the world can be. This heartwarming story was shared on Facebook a few years ago, and it always brings a smile to my face. It’s so touching that I wanted to share it with you, too.
It’s about a dad named Mike Larson, who tells the story of the day a girl named Maddi walked into his office and asked if she could take his son Jon, who has autism, to prom.
Many kids with special needs, like autism, just want the same things any other child their age wants. They dream of going to school dances, finding a date, and having fun with their friends. For many teenagers, finding a date to the prom is a big deal. It can really hurt their confidence if they don’t get a date.
For some kids, especially those with special needs, these social moments can feel even more challenging. They might not fully understand everything happening around them, and it can be hard for them to navigate these situations. But that’s where Maddi stepped in.
Mike Larson, Jon’s dad, wrote about what happened when Maddi asked if she could take Jon to prom. His post quickly went viral, and it touched millions of people. Mike’s story is full of love, kindness, and hope.
Here’s what Mike shared on Facebook about that moment:
“This is my son Jon with his prom date Maddi,” Mike began, showing a photo of Jon and Maddi at the prom. “He is a junior and he has autism. About a month ago, Maddi, a senior, came to my office (I’m a teacher at their school) and asked if Jon’s mom and I would allow her to take him to prom.”
Mike added, “Maddi had gotten to know Jon through a school club that promotes friendships between kids with special needs and regular kids. ‘He’s a junior,’ she explained. ‘So it’s his prom too. I just think he should have the chance to go.’ I told her we would be honored to have him go with her.”
But Maddi didn’t stop at just asking Jon to prom. She wanted to make sure he had the best night ever. She even went the extra mile to learn about Jon’s favorite color, which was orange.
So, Maddi made sure to pick a dress in that color for the big night. She also made reservations at a restaurant that served Jon’s favorite meal: chicken fingers, French fries, and chocolate milk. She made everything perfect for him.
Before officially inviting Jon, Maddi thought it was important to ask his dad if it was okay. Mike was deeply moved by this gesture. “It was a pretty breathtaking moment for me,” he said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Mike posted the story on Facebook not only to celebrate Jon and Maddi, but also to support special needs kids like Jon, to promote the school clubs that help foster friendships, and to remind people that there are still incredible kids like Maddi who are making the world a better place.
Mike’s post quickly went viral, and by 2019, it had been shared over 1 million times! Mike also shared updates on Jon’s life, telling everyone that Jon was doing great, still living at home, and happy.
Maddi, now married, sometimes feels embarrassed by all the attention the post received, but Mike was quick to thank everyone who had wished them well.
Looking back, Mike remembers the moment when Jon was diagnosed with autism over 16 years ago. At that time, he never imagined his son would get to experience a moment like prom.
“It’s something I never thought would happen for our family, and not only did it happen, but it happened in such a beautiful way,” Mike said. “To have it go on and bless the lives of other people is beyond anything I ever could have hoped for. It will be one of the nicest memories of our lives.”
When Mike wrote, “How is it possible my baby boy is 20 today? Jon, I love you so,” it was clear that this beautiful memory would always hold a special place in his heart.
This story is a reminder that there are still kind and caring people in the world. It’s a story about a young woman who wanted to make someone’s life a little brighter, and it shows the incredible impact small acts of kindness can have.
If you’re inspired by this story, why not share it with others? Let’s spread this kindness and keep the positive energy going!
What do you think of the story? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
