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Sometimes we need to brace ourselves before hopping online. Reading the news and scrolling through social media can be unexpectedly distressing experiences. You never know what tragic event has occurred since the last time you checked in with the world, but we can expect one thing: the news is usually filled with more upsetting stories than uplifting ones.

For a refreshing change of pace, many people turn to the Unexpectedly Wholesome subreddit. With a community of over 170k members, r/UnexpectedlyWholesome is a warm, safe place where users share situations they’ve experienced or seen online that end in an uplifting twist. From parents being surprisingly supportive to animals acting as adorable as ever, enjoy this list of reminders that our world still has plenty of positivity left to go around. Then if you’re in need of even more heartwarming content after finishing this piece, we’ve got you covered with another Unexpectedly Wholesome Bored Panda list right here.

#1

Hopefully This Hasn't Been Posted Yet, Its A Goldmine

Hopefully This Hasn't Been Posted Yet, Its A Goldmine

AdGloomy1444 Report

You know that saying “out of sight, out of mind”? I think that idea rings true for a lot of us. And this day in age, where we’re dealing with, or at the very least witnessing, a pandemic, war and the destruction of our planet due to climate change (that we caused!), it can be easy for uplifting stories to fade right out of sight. And it’s not our fault. When all we see in the media is upsetting reports, it's an understandable reaction to feel like nothing good ever happens anymore. But with pages like Unexpectedly Wholesome, we can bring positivity back to the front of our minds, even for just a few minutes each day.

Writer Emily Torres published a piece last year titled “Why Are We Craving ‘Wholesome’ Things In 2021?”, and she hit the nail on the head by saying, “In a year that’s left nothing but holes in our hearts, we’re all trying to find some way back to our whole selves.”

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    #2

    Major Respect To The Manager Of The Bar

    Major Respect To The Manager Of The Bar

    SadSenpai420 Report

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    Emily went on to liken the holes in our hearts to nutrient deficiencies that we can help fix with regular supplements like “smell[ing] the clean fur of a sun-drenched puppy”. “Wholesome moments are everywhere,” Emily notes. “If only we’ll pay attention to them.” She recommends readers become more observant in their daily lives and, instead of rushing through things, stop to appreciate the little things. It’s hard to describe the feeling one gets when experiencing or witnessing a purely wholesome moment, but it’s sort of a rush of warmth that almost does give the sensation of a hole being filled.

    Emily also notes that being uplifting doesn’t have to be a temporary state. “Being ‘wholesome’ is not a performance; rather, it’s a state of being that is sustainable and life-giving to us and those around us.” It’s natural to feel a longing for wholesomeness, and we owe it to ourselves, and those around us, to feed that desire and allow positivity to blossom.   

    #3

    Santa Comes In Many Forms

    Santa Comes In Many Forms

    Frau_V Report

    #4

    Stupid Idiots And Their Cute Pets

    Stupid Idiots And Their Cute Pets

    DonutOperator Report

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    So how do we find positivity in our daily lives? Aside from a few minutes on the Unexpectedly Wholesome subreddit each day, a doctor might also prescribe you a healthy dose of positive-thinking content through books or podcasts. Luckily, the internet has unlimited resources to help you boost your serotonin levels. One book on this topic is The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by New York Time’s best-selling author Shawn Achor. Achor is the author of 5 successful books, but The Happiness Advantage is his most popular and is described as “the happy secret to greater success and fulfillment in work and life—a must-read for everyone trying to flourish in a world of increasing stress and negativity”.

    #5

    I Just Saw This On Fb I Don’t Know If It’s Been Posted Here But I Had All Sorts Of Feels!!! I Definitely Smiled Tho

    I Just Saw This On Fb I Don’t Know If It’s Been Posted Here But I Had All Sorts Of Feels!!! I Definitely Smiled Tho

    theheliumkid Report

    #6

    Wholesome Arnold

    Wholesome Arnold

    rheameg Report

    As far as podcasts are concerned, the world is your oyster in finding positive content there as well. One popular research-based positive podcast is “The Science of Happiness”, which is hosted by award-winning psychologist Dacher Keltner. The show, which has been running since 2018, now has 115 episodes, with each one featuring tips for leading a more joyful life. Topics the show has covered include “How to Find Your Spark in Life”, “How Gratitude Renews Us”, “24 Hours of Kindness” and “Scheduling Time to Feel Awesome”. Listeners also give the podcast glowing reviews. One fan wrote, “It’s wonderful to learn about yourself through other people’s experiences. It takes the pressure off and allows the listener to be inspired without being deterred by one's own insecurities. These stories are entertaining and thought-provoking.”

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    #7

    This Is A Real Christian

    This Is A Real Christian

    SadSenpai420 Report

    #8

    They Stay With Us In Unexpected Ways

    They Stay With Us In Unexpected Ways

    andrewkelly87 Report

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    #9

    It Warms My Heart To See People Who Are Often Stereotyped As Violent Be Caring And Companionate

    It Warms My Heart To See People Who Are Often Stereotyped As Violent Be Caring And Companionate

    claytations Report

    Everyone’s definition of wholesome may be slightly different: some people are thrilled by the sight of babies while others only melt when they see adorable animals. Even virtual encounters and memes can be incredibly wholesome for some people. In 2017, Time magazine published a piece titled “How the Internet Is Getting a Little Nicer, One Meme at a Time” detailing the story of how Twitter user @JonnySun gave the Sad Kermit meme, which was viral at the time, an uplifting twist by challenging his followers to turn “a virtual punch line into a symbol of hope”. Some of the captions submitted were “when you remember how much someone loves you" and “when you’re so proud of how far you have come, and excited for how far you have to go". While memes often have a more cynical twist, they can be used to promote a little positivity online as well.

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    #10

    I Mean, We Were All Thinking The Same Thing

    I Mean, We Were All Thinking The Same Thing

    zclcghr Report

    #11

    Football Coach Cancels Practice...

    Football Coach Cancels Practice...

    BDeLallo Report

    #12

    Who Wouldn't Love Rodger?

    Who Wouldn't Love Rodger?

    mr_swagster Report

    One of the reasons the posts on this list are so enjoyable is because the endings are unexpected. But why do our brains always jump to the worst case scenario? Why do we start reading something and begin to brace ourselves for bad news? According to Meg Jay, a clinical psychologist, our brains are actually wired to expect the worst. “When early humans were wandering the Earth, underestimating what was around the corner (or in the bushes or the forest) could be deadly,” Meg explains in a piece for Harvard Business Review. “This is why the most primitive parts of our brains take a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach to uncertainties, both big and small.”

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    #13

    This Is The Most Wholesome Thing That Ever Wholesomed

    This Is The Most Wholesome Thing That Ever Wholesomed

    subtleaccordions Report

    #14

    Suddenly, Happiness

    Suddenly, Happiness

    ThoriumBloodHoun Report

    #15

    Taking Time To Love One Another

    Taking Time To Love One Another

    memezzer Report

    Apparently jumping to the worst case scenario, or catastrophizing, is incredibly common, especially for young people. Meg explains that we’re most likely to have a mindset that assumes the worst between the ages of 18-35, because those are typically the most unsettled years of people’s lives. She goes on to note that the development of the prefrontal cortex that’s happening during our 20’s doesn’t help the situation. “That doesn’t mean young adults can’t cope. Rather, it means that now is a great time to hardwire new habits, such as slowing down and thinking things through.” 

    #16

    Grandmas Are The Best

    Grandmas Are The Best

    Manntias Report

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    #17

    Your Job Is To Help Others

    Your Job Is To Help Others

    JadenYuki15 Report

    #18

    People Helping People

    People Helping People

    boutchuur Report

    Meg then goes on to share tips on how we can stop catastrophizing situations and develop healthier habits. Her first tip is to “stop time traveling”. Most of our fears include future events, perhaps months or years from now. But worrying about the future is not conducive to tackling the tasks we need to complete in the present moment. Next, Meg recommends to focus on whatever it is you’re scared of. “Catastrophizing is based on fear rather than on facts,” she explains. Recognizing the actual facts of a situation often helps us realize that we have little to fear at all.

    #19

    We Need A Big Strong Woman To Take Care Of Us

    We Need A Big Strong Woman To Take Care Of Us

    DozyDrake Report

    #20

    Postgirl Pippa

    Postgirl Pippa

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    #21

    F**k Cancer

    F**k Cancer

    shannonhar95 Report

    Next, Meg recommends fearful individuals to play out their worst case scenario in their heads. Although it’s probably not the most likely outcome, imagine what would actually happen. Your life will probably still go on. After realizing the worst case, play out your best case scenario. Meg notes that the best and worst case scenarios are often “simply childlike fantasies” with reality falling “somewhere in between”. She explains that catastrophizing is a way of looking at issues as black and white, but what we need to do is see the grey. There is nuance to every situation, and it’s best to avoid fixating on the ends of the spectrum. 

    #22

    8 Year Old’s Rebellion

    8 Year Old’s Rebellion

    mcnees Report

    #23

    My Heart..

    My Heart..

    rishabh0402 Report

    #24

    Gaming Friends Are Real Friends

    Gaming Friends Are Real Friends

    makdorsen Report

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    Lastly, Meg notes that, “The real cure for catastrophizing is confidence, and confidence comes from experience.” While it may feel like we hear bad news everywhere we go, there is plenty of news worth celebrating as well. We just need to know where to look. Our instincts are there to protect us, but what would happen if we started challenging them and viewed our lives through a more optimistic lens? What’s the worst thing that could happen? Okay, now imagine what the best outcome would be. Reality is probably somewhere in the middle...

    #25

    The World Needs More People Like This

    The World Needs More People Like This

    SniperGhost_huntress Report

    #26

    Bet Its A Good One

    Bet Its A Good One

    iamravive Report

    #27

    You Deserve The Money!

    You Deserve The Money!

    MinuteJuice Report

    After reading some of this list, I'm feeling more wholesome already. It has inspired me to bake some brownies and deliver them to my neighbors just for fun. We hope you're enjoying your daily dose of wholesome content as much as we are, and don't forget to upvote and comment on your favorite posts. Then let us know in the comments what wholesome situations you've recently found yourself in to keep the positive vibes flowing!

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    #28

    It's The Most They Got

    It's The Most They Got

    JadenYuki15 Report

    #29

    Til

    Til

    dianses Report

    #30

    Nice Job Pal

    Nice Job Pal

    prasaadii Report

    #31

    Wholesome Grandpa

    Wholesome Grandpa

    NoseIsNoseIsNotToes Report

    #32

    My Heart!!

    My Heart!!

    Chamndler Report

    #33

    How Proud This Racoon Is Of Their Art

    How Proud This Racoon Is Of Their Art

    TonySkratchere Report

    #34

    The Earth Sandwich

    The Earth Sandwich

    Lokimonoxide Report

    #35

    🥳🎉🎊

    🥳🎉🎊

    Ches_Skelington Report

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    #36

    Unorthodox Hater Strategy

    Unorthodox Hater Strategy

    Advil Report

    #37

    Halloween Potato!

    Halloween Potato!

    VeganSmoothie Report

    #38

    Can’t Imagine How This Happened

    Can’t Imagine How This Happened

    mysticalodds Report

    #39

    Awwwww

    Awwwww

    MrWheeze1 Report

    #40

    The Family That Brushes Teeth Together, Stays Together

    The Family That Brushes Teeth Together, Stays Together

    Luciuxness Report

    #41

    We Need This Right Now

    We Need This Right Now

    NotStyxx Report

    #42

    Bill Skarsgard Scaring Hader By Naturally Making His Eyes Go Sideways

    Bill Skarsgard Scaring Hader By Naturally Making His Eyes Go Sideways

    ashlyrind7 Report

    #43

    This Little Girl's Rock Displayed In A Local Museum

    This Little Girl's Rock Displayed In A Local Museum

    Kran3lis Report

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    #44

    I Felt Like This Belonged Here

    I Felt Like This Belonged Here

    Xceiles Report

    #45

    So .... Perfect

    So .... Perfect

    christie_123 Report

    #46

    Had Me In The First Half

    Had Me In The First Half

    couch_commando_989 Report

    #47

    Supporting Your Daughter No Matter What

    Supporting Your Daughter No Matter What

    aissaanali Report

    #48

    An Emotional Rollercoaster From Start To Finish

    An Emotional Rollercoaster From Start To Finish

    Hamish_french Report

    #49

    Sharing This Giggle I Had Today

    Sharing This Giggle I Had Today

    softt-ee Report

    #50

    Tears Running From My Eyes

    Tears Running From My Eyes

    TTwelveUnits Report

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    #51

    That’s So Cute

    That’s So Cute

    JadenYuki15 Report

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    #52

    Future Self

    Future Self

    Lejimuz Report

    #53

    Absolutelynotme_irl

    Absolutelynotme_irl

    mwuannah Report

    #54

    Orangutan Thinks That This Man Has Fallen Into The River And Offers His Hand But He's Really Staff Who Removes Snakes From The River

    Orangutan Thinks That This Man Has Fallen Into The River And Offers His Hand But He's Really Staff Who Removes Snakes From The River

    Throwawayiea Report

    #55

    A Rare Instance Of A False Karen

    A Rare Instance Of A False Karen

    CR1MS4NE Report

    #56

    Something About This Just Makes Me Smile

    Something About This Just Makes Me Smile

    AdGloomy1444 Report

    #57

    Apologies If This Has Already Been Posted

    Apologies If This Has Already Been Posted

    pjpotter14 Report

    #58

    He Deserves Some Serious Celebration

    He Deserves Some Serious Celebration

    jobedeyo Report

    #59

    People Will Always Remember How You Treated Them

    People Will Always Remember How You Treated Them

    Reallynoreallyno Report

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    #60

    This Was My Straight, Conservative, 60 Yr Old Grampa's Response About A Year Ago When I Came Out As Trans (Ftm)

    This Was My Straight, Conservative, 60 Yr Old Grampa's Response About A Year Ago When I Came Out As Trans (Ftm)

    And I completely forgot about it until today since it's his birthday. It was nice to see again since I didn't get a lot of support when I came out.

    dickcheese5346 Report

    #61

    Blessed Rain

    Blessed Rain

    JadenYuki15 Report

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    #62

    Beauty And The Beast

    Beauty And The Beast

    SaniMani42 Report

    #63

    Two Online Best Friends That Played Gta Together Everynight Met Up To Have Lunch And Take A Few Pictures

    Two Online Best Friends That Played Gta Together Everynight Met Up To Have Lunch And Take A Few Pictures

    dianses Report

    #64

    This Guy Found A Message Written In A Bottle While Fishing

    This Guy Found A Message Written In A Bottle While Fishing

    udumslut Report

    #65

    Hit Me In The Feels....

    Hit Me In The Feels....

    SojourningTruth Report

    #66

    That's Right, Kid. Nobody

    That's Right, Kid. Nobody

    sylvar Report

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    #67

    My Heart Is Melted

    My Heart Is Melted

    artngbubu Report

    #68

    Awww

    Awww

    ManicMolotov Report

    #69

    Did Not Expect This

    Did Not Expect This

    FrostyFroZenFrosTen Report

    #70

    Such A Great Thing To Do

    Such A Great Thing To Do

    oska77rs Report

    #71

    Delighted To Share This Wonderful News!

    Delighted To Share This Wonderful News!

    DoctorTurkelton Report

    #72

    Giving A Lift To Everyone This Year

    Giving A Lift To Everyone This Year

    mehchinegun Report

    #73

    Future Wife's Painting

    Future Wife's Painting

    Reallynoreallyno Report

    #74

    Firestar1732 Report

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    #75

    Whether I'm 30, 50, Or 100, I Will Never Stop Playing Video Games. They Make Me Happy

    Whether I'm 30, 50, Or 100, I Will Never Stop Playing Video Games. They Make Me Happy

    makdorsen Report

    #76

    A Lifetime Of Lessons Learned In A Few Hours Of Gaming

    A Lifetime Of Lessons Learned In A Few Hours Of Gaming

    nattalands Report

    #77

    That's Dedication

    That's Dedication

    WillowKimba Report

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    #78

    Beware!

    Beware!

    absurdly_pathetic Report

    #79

    Always Works

    Always Works

    P1TPAT Report

    #80

    When You Get Messaged Post Game

    When You Get Messaged Post Game

    ManuelusSteinus Report

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    #81

    Gamer Girl : )

    Gamer Girl : )

    butcherrboy Report

    #82

    Your Move, Media!

    Your Move, Media!

    makdorsen Report

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    #83

    Love Is The Best!

    Love Is The Best!

    deepinthoughts77 Report

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    #84

    This Just Warmed My Heart

    This Just Warmed My Heart

    dianses Report

    #85

    yoyu232 Report

    #86

    Just Wow

    Just Wow

    nattalands Report

    #87

    We Gamers Have A Duty To Make Others Feel Welcome, In Times Like This

    We Gamers Have A Duty To Make Others Feel Welcome, In Times Like This

    makdorsen Report

    #88

    Meirl

    Meirl

    rishabh0402 Report

    #89

    As A Trans Ftm, This Really Made My Day

    As A Trans Ftm, This Really Made My Day

    GeorginaEspinosay Report

    #90

    Wish That Was My Boss

    Wish That Was My Boss

    Hurt_then_skrt Report

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    #91

    Sometimes "I Love You Mum" Can Come Out In Unexpected Ways

    Sometimes "I Love You Mum" Can Come Out In Unexpected Ways

    BeepBopBippityBop Report

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    #92

    True

    True

    reddit.com Report

    #93

    Hey There, Fellow Redditors!

    Hey There, Fellow Redditors!

    Ill_Earth8585 Report

    #94

    That’s Some Heart Warming Stuff

    That’s Some Heart Warming Stuff

    dianses Report

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    #95

    Respect Towards Janie

    Respect Towards Janie

    dianses Report

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    #96

    If You Give Sea Urchins Tiny Hats, They Will Wear Them

    If You Give Sea Urchins Tiny Hats, They Will Wear Them

    BusinessPuggo Report

    #97

    Wholesome Level 9000

    Wholesome Level 9000

    Lightnin_chicken1 Report

    #98

    Someone's Father:

    Someone's Father:

    JayantVermaYT Report

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    #99

    Annoying People

    Annoying People

    That_5_Something Report

    #100

    "I Personally Don't Like Gay People..." But There's A Plot Twist

    "I Personally Don't Like Gay People..." But There's A Plot Twist

    Dena_Roth Report

    #101

    I Just Thought This Should Be Here

    I Just Thought This Should Be Here

    Scarface091 Report

    #102

    How To Argue

    How To Argue

    TryingTimesComics Report

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    #103

    A Silver Lining

    A Silver Lining

    Jnrajiv2002 Report

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    #104

    At A Gas Station In Minnesota Or Canada

    At A Gas Station In Minnesota Or Canada

    B99fanboy Report

    #105

    What A Feeling. Back In October My Wife And I Were Placed With A Sibling Group Of 3 Kids, Ages 5, 3, And 10months. After Feeling Overwhelmed And Wondering If We Were Doing The Right Thing, The Oldest Kids Teacher Sends Me This

    What A Feeling. Back In October My Wife And I Were Placed With A Sibling Group Of 3 Kids, Ages 5, 3, And 10months. After Feeling Overwhelmed And Wondering If We Were Doing The Right Thing, The Oldest Kids Teacher Sends Me This

    someone3lses Report

    #106

    I Like My Knife How I Like My Wife....

    I Like My Knife How I Like My Wife....

    talltsdance Report

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    #107

    This Made Me Smile

    This Made Me Smile

    chauhan_14 Report

    #108

    Wholesome App

    Wholesome App

    lazygeekboy Report

    #109

    Got A Hero Necklace From My Employer For Working During Covid. Woke Up To This!

    Got A Hero Necklace From My Employer For Working During Covid. Woke Up To This!

    sarcasticengineer369 Report

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    #110

    Wow, Feels Like Home

    Wow, Feels Like Home

    lindsaminds Report

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    #111

    Gaming Is Everywhere

    Gaming Is Everywhere

    dianses Report

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    #112

    I Told My Internet Friend That I Had Trouble Sleeping Recently. So She Stayed Awake Till 4am For Me

    I Told My Internet Friend That I Had Trouble Sleeping Recently. So She Stayed Awake Till 4am For Me

    Sufiyanshaikhp1 Report

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    #113

    Well This Just Makes For A Perfect Group Hug!

    Well This Just Makes For A Perfect Group Hug!

    MoneyAintGotNoOwners Report

    #114

    Wife Sending A Message To Her Husband Through A Reddit Post

    Wife Sending A Message To Her Husband Through A Reddit Post

    euivbgdfgrtretre Report

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    #115

    Public Nudist Turns His Life Around

    Public Nudist Turns His Life Around

    bazonggabazinga Report

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    #116

    Unexpectedly Wholesomeness In A Youtube Comments Section

    Unexpectedly Wholesomeness In A Youtube Comments Section

    aerologies Report

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    #117

    Who Knew The Life Of An Ant In A Jar Would Captivate Both Boy And Cat?

    Who Knew The Life Of An Ant In A Jar Would Captivate Both Boy And Cat?

    Weezebabea Report

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    #118

    That Caught Me Off Guard

    That Caught Me Off Guard

    StewartS2007 Report

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    #119

    Unexpectedly Wholesome Shower Talk

    Unexpectedly Wholesome Shower Talk

    ThorinSmokenshield Report

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    #120

    Spiders Get A Bad Rep

    Spiders Get A Bad Rep

    Djinnyatta1234 Report

    #121

    Sure, S*x Is Cool And All, But Has Your Math Tutor's 2 Yr Old Daughter Ever Randomly Approached You And Handed You A Flower While You Worked??

    Sure, S*x Is Cool And All, But Has Your Math Tutor's 2 Yr Old Daughter Ever Randomly Approached You And Handed You A Flower While You Worked??

    The-cloud-of-curls Report

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    #122

    This Is The History Our Kids Will Learn About

    This Is The History Our Kids Will Learn About

    dianses Report

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