A hard-working teen saving for her first car burst into tears when her older sister surprised her with the vehicle she desperately needed.
Since turning 16, Kaylee Linn, now 19, from Des Moines, Iowa, had always dreamed of having her car – but she found saving money difficult without a reliable way to get to work.
That changed in July 2024 when Kaylee’s older sister, Megan, 28, asked if she would like to nanny for her two sons, ages four and six.
Kaylee said she’d love to, but because she did not have a car, she didn’t have a way to get to Megan’s house across town.
MORE GOOD NEWS: Mom-To-Be Surprises Family With Pregnancy News Using Card Game
Megan offered to lend Kaylee her and her husband Alex’s spare car, and over the months that followed, Kaylee worked long hours for her sister.
Between 6:30am and 4:30pm every day, Kaylee would spend quality time with her nephews and was able to put some money aside.
She said the job taught her a lot about responsibility, perseverance, and the value of family, and within a few months, she was able to save about $2,000, which was two-thirds of the target she set herself.
Megan and Alex had seen how hard Kaylee was working, so they decided they wanted to help out – not just giving Kaylee the extra money but purchasing a vehicle for herself.
Having found a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder they thought was perfect, Megan and Alex decided Christmas Day would be the ideal time for the surprise.
Megan told her sister she had to wait to open her final gift, and when the 19-year-old unwrapped a toy car from the movie Cars and a set of keys, she immediately knew what was happening.
The scale of the surprise caused Kaylee to start sobbing joyous tears.
She then headed outside with her family, where she saw her first car waiting with a red bow on top.
The emotional surprise was captured on video by Kaylee’s mom, and the proud teenager, who gave her sister a big hug, later shared the footage on social media, which immediately went viral.
MORE GOOD NEWS: Boyfriend Surprises Childhood Sweetheart With New Car On Birthday… But There’s A Surprise In The Trunk
She said: “It was more than just a job; it was a stepping stone toward achieving my goals while strengthening my bond with the people I love most.
“Megan told me I had to wait and open my gift last, which built up so much anticipation.
“When it was finally my turn, they handed me a gift bag.
“Inside, I found a toy car—Mator from the movie Cars, but with a Christmas theme.
“I loved it because I’ve always had a soft spot for that character.
“Then I noticed another gift, wrapped and tucked inside the bag.
“I unwrapped it to find a mini gift bag inside, leading to another rolled-up bag.
MORE GOOD NEWS: Family Secretly Pools Money, Gifts Grandma New Car
“By this point, I was smiling at how creative they had been with the wrapping.
“Finally, when I opened the last bag, I saw a set of keys – when everything clicked and I realized I was getting a car, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion.
“I felt shocked—it didn’t seem real at first—followed by an incredible rush of excitement and happiness.
“But more than anything, I was deeply thankful.
“It wasn’t just about getting a car; it was the thoughtfulness behind the gesture and knowing that my hard work and determination had been recognized.
“All these emotions hit me at once, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”