Eight stories that melted your heart in 2014

WARNING: BRING TISSUE

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — Some of our favourite stories this year showed us the strength of human spirit, courage, kindness, creativity, determination and perseverence — long before it coincided with December holidays. 

We all know life isn't easy, but we look for these kinds of stories to borrow some inspiration, some wisdom and strength. We hope you enjoyed these stories as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you.

1. Last February, a young boy playing in a Vernon hockey tournament brought a crowd to its feet, but not for a goal or a save. We never found any video of this event, but plenty of people called and wrote to spread the word of what they witnessed — a boy with the courage to do what's right.

2. Plenty of people were upset when someone vandalized an icon mural in Vernon. People wrote, called and complained. A 19-year-old artist didn't bother wasting energy with all that — she acted. She shared a refreshing perspective on the problem and perhaps what to do about it.

3. We admit this story isn't for everyone — it's hard to read. It's the side story of a vicious attack on three dogs by a man with a large sharp weapon. Amid the anger over the event stood a Kelowna veterinarian who put everything else aside and went to extreme lengths to save two of the dogs.

4. This one is just fun. You see these stories all over the Internet but rarely are they local. Here a Kamloops man pulls out all the stops to propose to his girlfriend in a way she will never forget. Enjoy.

5. We found L.C. the puppy first. She was born to a Penticton family with a cleft palate and needed special care and a new home. Now she's been adopted and her new family is a perfect fit.

6. Roughly 2,500 people were evacuated from their homes in July for the Smith Creek wildfire in West Kelowna. When residents returned, they found their homes safe and sound. And this is how some of them said thank you.

7. This one's a love story. Boy meets girl, they fall in love and share nine months together before boy is diagnosed with terminal cancer. This is how their close friends — and a film producer changed the lives of this couple with a wedding in Kamloops.

8. Most people want to help, not everyone can. At least, not like this. When fire destroyed a Kelowna manufacturing business, it also threatened the entire company which had a looming deadline on a big order. Then along came one of few people who could help.