When TikToker Kristen Cushing's (@kwrlld) dad, Ray, and step-mom, Maxine, got married–she decided to vlog the day from her 12-year-old perspective. Now 19, Kristen decided to edit her original video and give it to her parents for Christmas–and the reaction was just as sweet and emotional 7 years later.
"POV: you vlogged your dad & step moms wedding when you were 12 and edited it as a Christmas present to the both of them," she writes in the video. She adds in the caption that her footage had never been seen before this. In her edited vlog, Taylor Swift's song "Lover" is overlayed in the video, which pans to Kristen's dad and step-mom sitting together on a couch as they watch. Maxine is completely overjoyed, placing her hand over her mouth. Max puts his arm around her, fighting off tears as they both beam and watch their day from Kristen's perspective.
@kwrlld The footage had never been seen until Christmas Day 🎄❤️🔥 #christmasgifts #surprisegift
Kristen's video shows many scenes from the day: Maxine getting ready before the ceremony, the ring exchange between them, their first kiss, a champagne toast with their arms intertwined, and selfies of Kristen sharing her commentary with her new stepsister. It's only 30 seconds, but the love can be felt throughout the room–and with viewers on TikTok. One commented, "Your dad trying not to cry is making me cry omg." Another added, . "You can see how much they still love each other! What a sweet gift!" And many took notice of Maxine's response. "As a stepmom, this means so incredibly much," one wrote. Another commented, "This made me want to support my daughters relationship with her stepmom more. So lovely❤️thank you."
One viewer was also interested in how Kristen made the video after all these years. "Where was the footage this whole time 😂," one asked. She replied, "On the sd card in my old camera! When I was younger I didn’t know how to transfer files, so after a while I forgot it was there 💕."
Viewers wanted to hear Ray and Maxine's reaction (without Taylor Swift singing), so she also shared a video with the original audio. Maxine says, "Oh my God!" at the beginning, and they both utter sweet gasps and sighs throughout. This post got more touching replies. "if ever there was a sign you’re a good step parent, this is one 🫶," one wrote. And another touched TikToker added, "Your dad fighting his tears is the SWEETEST thing ever."
@kwrlld Replying to @honeyy♡_♡ Reaction without the audio! #stepmom #christmasgift #surprisegift
After requests for Kristen to share the entire video she created for Ray and Maxine, she did the Internet a solid and posted it on YouTube. A little over 3 minutes long, the video begins with Kristen getting in the car on the way to the venue. Maxine is driving in her wedding dress, and the excitement fills the air. She turns around to see Kristen filming, and she says that she is going to make a wedding montage. The small, intimate ceremony is followed by a low-key reception, and Kristen heads to the bathroom with her new sister to share their excitement. "We've been waiting for this for 7 years!" she exclaims.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
The video ends with a sit-down meal and cake-cutting, with snaps of Ray and Maxine holding hands in the air as they celebrate their big day.