Heartwarming Family Tradition: Grandchildren Surprise Grandma Noreen with Dream Hawaii Trip After Her 16 One-on-One Adventures
Phoenix, Arizona – August 31, 2025
In a touching display of generational love, eight adult grandchildren surprised their 87-year-old grandmother, Noreen, with a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Hawaii—the destination she had always dreamed of visiting but never had the chance to explore. This heartfelt gesture comes after Noreen spent 24 years taking each of her 16 grandchildren on individual one-on-one trips following their middle school graduations, creating cherished memories across the U.S. The family’s story, shared via viral TikTok videos, has captured hearts worldwide, reminding us of the enduring bonds that make family traditions so special. Watch the emotional in-flight announcement and beach arrival below to see the joy unfold.
The Tradition That Started It All: 24 Years of Grandmother-Grandchild Getaways
Noreen’s remarkable journey as a travel-loving grandma began in 2000, four years after the sudden passing of her husband in 1996. With retirement plans upended, she turned her focus to her growing family. Starting with her eldest grandchild, Britney Lindgren, then 14, Noreen proposed a special one-on-one trip after each grandchild finished eighth grade. Over the next two decades, she organized 16 unique adventures, tailoring each to the child’s interests—whether it was a bustling trip to New York City, swimming with dolphins in California, or exploring Florida’s attractions.
“I’ve always been close to my grandchildren. But doing one-on-ones is wonderful… And you have to remember they were 14-year-old grandchildren,” Noreen shared in an interview, highlighting the challenges and joys of traveling with teenagers. The trips weren’t just vacations; they were opportunities for deep bonding, away from the distractions of siblings and daily life. In 2024, Noreen completed the tradition with her youngest grandchild, a trip to San Diego, marking the end of an era that spanned from 2000 to 2024.
These getaways weren’t without mishaps—Lindgren recalls getting lost in Florida while relying on early MapQuest directions—but they forged lifelong connections. Noreen, now a great-grandmother to three (with two more on the way), calls herself “beyond blessed” for the experiences, which she says were “one of the most rewarding things that I’ve been able to do.”
The Surprise Reveal: A Christmas Gift to Remember
With the tradition complete, Noreen’s grandchildren—now in their 20s and 30s—began brainstorming ways to give back. Hawaii had long been on Noreen’s bucket list; it was where her late husband had been stationed during the Korean War in the 1950s, but the couple never made it there together. “I hate to hear my grandma say she’s never done something and she wants to do something,” said Katie Sypniewski, 27, one of the grandchildren who helped organize the surprise.
The idea quickly gained traction among the cousins. They pooled resources, with each contributing to make the dream a reality. On Christmas Day 2024, the family gathered to present Noreen with Hawaiian-themed gifts: a lei (flower necklace), a T-shirt, an ornament, and a homemade quilt stitched with photos from the 16 original trips. A heartfelt card explained the plan for a group vacation to Oahu in July 2025. “There was much crying and sighing,” Noreen recalled. “I was overwhelmed… I didn’t even tell some of my friends right away because I couldn’t even believe it myself.”
Noreen initially hesitated, joking that Hawaii was a place to go “with someone you love”—a comment she had once made to avoid taking 14-year-olds there. But as Sypniewski noted, “I think 8 of her 16 grandchildren taking her to HI counts.” The surprise touched Noreen deeply, and she eagerly anticipated the trip, sharing the news far and wide.
The Trip of a Lifetime: Beaches, History, and Family Bonding in Hawaii
In July 2025, Noreen and eight of her grandchildren jetted off to Oahu for a six-day adventure. The group rented a large travel van to navigate the island comfortably, allowing them to explore at their own pace. Highlights included:
- Beach Hopping and Relaxation: Lounging on pristine sands like Royal-Moana Beach, where the family soaked up the sun and created new memories.
- Cultural Experiences: A lei-making class at their hotel, immersing them in Hawaiian traditions.
- Historical Visits: A tour of Schofield Barracks, a poignant stop honoring their grandfather’s service, and Kualoa Ranch, the filming location for the original Jurassic Park movie.
- Guided Tours: Island-wide excursions that balanced adventure with downtime, ensuring everyone could participate.
“The most special moment on our trip was being able to slow down and live in the present,” Sypniewski shared. “Seeing my grandma experience Hawaii for the first time really made me stop and be grateful for all the little moments we often let pass by.” Lindgren added that the trip provided rare quality time among the cousins, free from partners, kids, or other obligations: “I don’t even know the last time we’ve spent six days together… it was just fun to be able to just slow down.”
A standout moment occurred on the flight from Phoenix to Honolulu aboard Hawaiian Airlines. A flight attendant made a special announcement over the loudspeaker, celebrating Noreen’s legacy: “We wanted to give a quick shoutout from a very grateful group of grandkids… Today, they are flying with a true VIP—their grandma.” The crew detailed her 16 trips, calling her the “queen of making travel memories,” and the cabin erupted in applause. Passengers were moved, with one commenting, “She didn’t just build a life, she built a legacy. Enjoy your vacation, grandma Noreen.”
Viral Fame and Emotional Impact: A Story That Resonates Worldwide
Lindgren documented the journey on TikTok under the handle @hejmammabat, posting videos of the airport excitement, the in-flight shoutout, and their beach arrival set to Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place.” The content exploded in popularity, amassing over 6.4 million views and drawing emotional responses from viewers. Comments poured in: “Ok sobbing. May this kind of generational love chase me down and kidnap me,” and “Now she’s OUR grandma.” Another user marveled, “16 grandchildren. 16 individual trips! What a woman!”
Noreen was overwhelmed by the positivity: “It just made me feel good that there’s so many good people in the world… It gives me a feeling that there’s a lot of good people in the world.” The videos not only celebrated their story but inspired others to cherish family traditions. ABC News and other outlets picked up the tale, featuring it in segments that highlighted the power of reciprocity in family bonds.
Quotes from the Family: Love, Gratitude, and Legacy
Noreen reflected on the full-circle moment: “Grandma always said ‘Go to Hawaii with someone you love’ and although she meant that at first because she didn’t want to take 14 year olds there—I think 8 of her 16 grandchildren taking her to HI counts.”
Lindgren, the eldest grandchild, emphasized the emotional depth: “Grandma has always been close to all of us since we were babies. She helped take care of us all through our lives… This was grandma’s first time to Hawaii. It was always a place she dreamed of going.”
Sypniewski captured the group’s sentiment: “We all have busy lives and we’re all in our 20s and 30s, so it was just fun to be able to just slow down… Even then (at family reunions), our partners, our kids, our parents, our everybody is in one house together, so it’s not as much quality time, just the specific people.”
Background: The Power of Multigenerational Travel
Stories like Noreen’s align with a growing trend in multigenerational vacations, where families prioritize shared experiences across generations. Experts note that such trips foster stronger bonds, provide built-in childcare, and create lasting legacies. Noreen’s tradition, born from personal loss, evolved into a family cornerstone, and her grandchildren’s response exemplifies how these gestures can inspire future generations. As a great-grandmother, she plans to pass the one-on-one trip custom to her great-grandkids, ensuring the cycle of love continues.
Possible Impacts and Next Steps: Inspiring More Family Adventures
This heartwarming tale has sparked conversations about reciprocity in family dynamics, encouraging others to plan similar surprises. For Noreen’s family, the Hawaii trip strengthened their already tight-knit group, with plans for more reunions on the horizon. Viewers have shared their own stories, turning the videos into a virtual community of appreciation for grandparent-grandchild relationships.
As for next steps, Lindgren’s TikTok series continues to grow, potentially leading to more family content or even a book of memories. Noreen, ever the adventurer, hints at future travels, perhaps with the full 16 grandchildren. Families inspired by this can start small—perhaps a local day trip—to build toward bigger dreams.
Watch the Viral Videos Here: