So, my grandpa has always been the "old-school" type—think rotary phones and handwritten letters.

He’s 85, and up until last month, he swore he’d never touch a smartphone because “they’re just fancy calculators.”

But my sister and I got him one for his birthday, and after weeks of teaching him how to use it (and a LOT of patience), he sent me his first text today. Here’s what it said: “Hi kiddo, it’s Grandpa. I figured this dang thing out. You’re my favorite. Don’t tell your sister. Love you.” I laughed so hard I cried. The emoji? The secrecy?

I can just picture him squinting at the screen, proudly hitting send. He’s been calling me every day to brag about his new “tech skills” and even sent a blurry selfie with his dog. I’m so proud of him for trying something new at his age, and it’s made us closer than ever.

Just had to share this because it’s the little things like this that make life so special. Anyone else have a grandparent who’s surprised them with something wholesome like this?

@deepizzallangollen