A woman from Nebraska is going viral for sharing a tender memory frozen in time online.
In a gallery on TikTok, Katelynn Oxley shared images from Google Earth showing her late grandfather teaching her how to play softball in 2012.
Oxley, a student athlete at DePaul University, told Newsweek that the photos were taken when the Google Maps vehicle passed by her grandparents' house.
"I was playing softball in the front yard with my grandpa and little brother. I was hitting and he was pitching the ball when the vehicle was passing," she said.
Oxley wrote on the text overlay: "And somewhere on Google Earth, it's 2012. My grandpa is still alive and he's teaching me how to play softball."
The 21-year-old first discovered the images in elementary school while learning to use the computer. Years later, she realized Google Earth had preserved older images in its archives.
"I was so happy that it was still there because those were fond memories of my past," she added. Inspired by the viral TikTok trend where users revisit Google Earth images to find loved ones who have passed away, Oxley decided to share her own cherished memory.
The photos went viral on TikTok, amassing over 4 million views and over 760,000 likes.
Many viewers were touched by the 2012 pictures, some of whom shared their own stories of loss.
"This hits hard! My dad just passed in July, he taught both of my daughters how to play softball in his yard. I've went through all the google street views praying for a glimpse," one wrote.
"He's waving to your future self," wrote another user. A third user had a very similar story to Oxley, explaining that in a time when Google Earth did not exist, their grandpa taught them how to ride a motorcycle. "I don't have a picture of it but it is forever etched in my brain," they said.
In reference to her caption calling her grandpa her biggest role model, the volleyball player told Newsweek: "He taught me so many things in life and helped me grow in many aspects. He made me the athlete I am by coaching me and taking me to all my sports events and watching my practices."
Oxley was shocked by the attention her gallery received, as well as the support from the TikTok community. "So many people have expressed similar memories that they have uncovered through google maps continued. I am glad that so many people are able to relate and come together in the post," she said.
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