Latest news with #Kaitlin
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Hundreds attend inclusive UnBirthday in Brantford
Nearly 800 people attended the annual Friends 4 Kindness UnBirthday Party at Mohawk Park in Brantford on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Nicole Callander, founder and president of Friends 4 Kindness, first started the event back in 2018 when her daughter Kaitlin Coghlin was about to turn 18, and what began as a way to cheer up her child, quickly snowballed into something bigger. Coughlin has Williams Syndrome, and at the time, the Grade 12 student was feeling upset that she wasn't getting to experience the same milestones that other kids her age were. 'When you're an individual with disabilities, you stay in school until you're 21, and so, we have a daughter that's a year older than Kaitlin, and the year before, she was seeing her sister experiencing all those big moments you get in Grade 12; things like graduation, prom, and university acceptance letters, but she wasn't getting any of those milestones and she kept asking, 'is it because I have no friends?' I tried to explain to her why but she was still really upset,' recalled Callander. 'Her birthday is in July and so that January, I went on social media and asked my family and friends if they could cards between then and her birthday so that when all these milestones were happening, she would get mail and feel the love.' The mother never expected what would happen next. 'It went viral and we got 6,000 birthday cards from 34 countries, every province, and every state. We actually took a trip to Scotland, and somebody stopped us in the mall because they recognized Kaitlin and even they had sent her a birthday card,' said Callander. 'There were just so many cards that we had to start a group called Kindness 4 Kaitlin because people started messaging me asking if we got their gift, so we started making videos of her opening everything. But with that, came hundreds of messages from families saying things like 'I just sent out 30 birthday invitations, nobody showed up and we're sitting at the restaurant by ourselves,' or 'the whole class went to this party and my kid was the only one who wasn't invited because of their disability.' Relating to the struggles that other parents and children were experiencing, the mother wanted to try to find a way to give back. 'For Kaitlin's 18th birthday that summer, I decided I would rent some pavilions at Mohawk Park and invite that community for an 'un-birthday' so that whoever had never been to a birthday party, could be celebrated together,' she said. 'Two-hundred people came from as far away as Ottawa and even the United States just so that their child could experience a birthday.' Callander said that the goal was to really create an inclusive event where everyone was welcome. 'People always say to me, 'why are kids so mean?' and personally,I don't think they're mean, I think they sometimes avoid people with disabilities because they wonder, 'how do you talk?' or 'how do you eat,'' she said. 'So for this party, I really wanted the community to see that our friends can have fun, and it's not too much work. They might be different, but it's easy. So now it's become a thing where we have a big social, and inclusive event, where the community and our friends can come together.' During the party, parents and their children could pick up an UnBirthday passport and collect stamps for all the stations they visited, and at the end, they got to walk away with a loot bag (500 of which were gone in the first hour-and-a-half) and their selection of prizes. All around the main Mohawk Park pavilion, there were plenty of activities to enjoy. From the petting zoo to the bouncy castles, the ever-popular train ride, princesses and superheroes, lawn games and bracelet making, bucket drumming and rock decorating, quiet sensory areas and a photo booth with props, there was truly no shortage of fun to be had. Callander said that none of it would be possible without all of the volunteers and the kind donations. 'There's only a few of us that puts it all together, and it's 100 per cent volunteer run. The bigger it gets, the more the community has gotten involved and that just means that our friends mean a lot to them,' she said. 'It just goes to show you that people want a place where they truly belong and to see that the community wants to make that happen is really special. I'm just overjoyed to see too, how many people showed up given that it's a really busy weekend with the Special Olympics going on in Brantford. Noting that Kaitlin turned 25 on Friday, July 11, Callander said that her daughter has made her a better person, and that she wouldn't trade her for the world. 'When your child is born and you get the diagnosis, it can be really devastating because it feels like all of the things that you dreamed for your kid have gone out the window; the graduation, the prom, and all of those things that prompted me to start Friends 4 Kindness, but then you see all of this,' she said motioning to the party. 'None of this would have happened if I didn't have a daughter with special needs, right? I would never have recognized any of the silos in our community and the systemic barriers without her. Honestly, I feel like my life is way more fulfilled, and I am way more unconditionally loving than I probably would have been if I didn't have her. I am truly the best version of myself because of her.' Kimberly De Jong's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Goes Viral for Surprising Longtime Pal with a 'Best Friend Proposal' (Exclusive)
Amaiyah surprised her close friend Kaitlin with a "best friend proposal" that included thoughtful gifts and an emotional moment caught on video The TikTok has gone viral, with viewers praising the pair's deep, supportive and judgment-free friendship The two describe their bond as deeper than friendship, calling each other soulmates, sisters and a safe space in a world where trust is rareIt started with a simple text: 'Let me take you out to eat,' but what followed was a moment that would touch millions. In a now-viral TikTok, Amaiyah surprised her close friend Kaitlin with a gift bag full of her favorite snacks and a life-changing question: 'Will you be my best friend?' The emotional moment, captured on video and shared with the world, ends in a tight embrace and tears. 'I met Kaitlin in 10th grade and we had classes together every year of high school, but we just never talked,' Amaiyah tells PEOPLE. 'In 11th grade, that's when we started getting cool and I realized she's just so wholesome.' Though they were already inseparable, they had never put a title on their bond. Amaiyah decided it was time to change that. 'When I'm with her, it's always good vibes, smiles, and I can trust and talk to her about anything,' she says. 'And I was thinking this is the one I want to be around me forever.' The video, which features a visibly surprised Kaitlin receiving her favorite treats and a handwritten note, has been shared across TikTok and beyond. But for Kaitlin, the magic wasn't just in the moment: It was in the meaning. 'I was feeling everything you could possibly think of. I was feeling joy,' Kaitlin tells PEOPLE. 'It was such a joyful moment. I couldn't stop smiling and it took me a minute to answer because I was so full of joy.' She had no idea the bag of gifts was even for her. 'I was just so shocked. It has never happened to me before," she adds. The gifts were items and snacks that Kaitlin loves. That vulnerability — and filming a gesture many reserve for private moments — felt natural to Amaiyah, whose decision to go all in came from a place of deep trust. 'The conversations we have, the bond we have is unspoken … unbreakable,' she says. 'The amount of trust, love, support, honesty is everything a girl could ask for. The relationship we have, I've never had in anyone. And I just feel so safe and so comfortable around her.' The clip struck a chord far beyond their friend group. Thousands of comments poured in, with strangers reflecting on the power of female friendship and longing for that kind of connection themselves. 'Honestly, I feel like when it comes to girl friendships and having best friends, people don't really have the best of luck,' Amaiyah says. 'Friendships tend to go wrong most of the time. And I feel like people seeing our friendship made a lot of people say, 'That was really sweet.' ' She believes the gesture itself, both thoughtfully planned and joyfully given, is something that's missing from many relationships today. 'I feel like if you care about someone, you should take those extra steps to make them feel loved and seen,' Amaiyah adds. Going viral didn't just validate their friendship but it amplified it. In the video's caption, Amaiyah calls Kaitlin her 'soulmate in friend form' and 'sister.' It's a label both girls say reflects something deeper than typical friendship. 'I just feel like the level of respect and just being seen ... we got to be there for each other,' Amaiyah says. Kaitlin nods and adds, 'Who else is going to do that? We clicked instantly. It's actually crazy.' But what stands out most to Kaitlin is Amaiyah's unwavering acceptance. 'I love that we can tell each other anything and she does not judge,' she says. 'Most of the time you can't find people like that. But Amaiyah, I just know Amaiyah is so genuine. Her heart is so pure and I love it.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. For Amaiyah, it's the ease and honesty that define what they have. One moment in particular left an imprint on Amaiyah's heart. 'I was going through a situation and Kaitlin sat there and listened to it for 40 days and 40 nights,' she laughs. 'Never once was I judged. She was just there for me without any question.' The friendship has reshaped how both women see themselves and what they expect from others. 'You inspire me,' Amaiyah tells Kaitlin. 'You make me want to be better in a way.' Kaitlin adds, 'You opened my eyes to see who's genuine, who's not genuine, and what type of energy I want around me.' As for what Amaiyah hopes people take away from the video? It's simple: 'If the bond is there, take the extra step. Don't lose hope. It's good people out there,' she says. 'And you are what you attract.' Read the original article on People
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Home Bargains shoppers 'obsessed' with 'girly' range from £1.49
People were quick to fall in love with the latest bow-themed items available at affordable prices Home Bargains shoppers say they are 'obsessed' with the latest range of "girly" products landing in stores. For as little as £1.49, people can embrace a simple yet popular trend that is sweeping social media in many areas of their homes. TikTok user Kaitlin (@kaitlinbaileyx) posted the latest range of bow-inspired items added to the discount store's shelves. The trend has exploded online, with many retailers taking advantage of its popularity. Kaitlin claimed online that she was "obsessed" and said: "Girls don't walk, run to Home Bargains." She then included a string of photos taken during a shopping trip, during which she found items starting from as little as £1.49. The shopper found soap dispensers and drinkware, including mason jars with straws, ceramic mugs (£2.99), glass mugs (£1.49), and wine glasses (£3.99). Beyond the kitchen, fans of the pattern can embrace all things bow in the bedroom with a trendy duvet set that doesn't break the bank - if you can find it. The packaging showed that it came from The Lifestyle Edit range, with some items, such as the bathroom soap dispenser, tumbler, and tray (sold separately), available to buy online. However, others will be available in-store only. People were quite to jump into the comments section after spotting items that they "needed". One said: "I have the glass it's so cute." Another added: "I need all the girly stuff! Bow obsessed!" A third wrote: "Love this collection! Time for a long overdue Home Bargains visit!" Someone else posted: "As someone who is obsessed with pink, I'm coming to get it all!" But, one comment gave women a word of warning. An employee of the discount chain commented: "Guys be careful with the glassware, it's very fragile. I work at HB and a coworker dropped one the other day and it didn't break in pieces, it literally shattered into tiny little specs of glass. I'm talking like Demerara sugar size! Just be careful!" Other commented how they were unsuccessful at getting any in their local Home Bargains, with another staff member shedding a bit of light on why that might be. They said: "Home bargains worker here! We've been gradually getting it all the past few weeks after the bow pjs but some of these are only in our larger shops." Away from all things bow, Home Bargains has been impressing fans in other ways. The store recently added a fitness bundle to its shelves —ideal for gifting to anyone you know who's obsessed with exercise and hitting their protein goals. For £30, the Applied Nutrition Fitness Starter Pack (worth £50) includes a JD Gym 1 Day Guest Pass. There is also a range of goodies that are "tasty samples and top products to kickstart your fitness journey".
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
I'm a chef and I've been cooking fried eggs wrong – there's a better way
I'm a chef and I've been cooking fried eggs wrong – there's a better way Kaitlin, who is also the founder of Modern Vintage Cooking, says people should avoid cooking their fried eggs with butter or oil as it is more likely to become a 'big mess' Frying eggs might seem like a simple task but it can quickly turn into a disaster if the egg falls apart in the pan or becomes rubbery due to excessive use of oil and butter. Kaitlin, a culinary expert and founder of Modern Vintage Cooking, has revealed her secret to avoiding such mishaps – she ditches the butter and oil altogether and uses just a splash of water instead. She explained: "I've discovered that there is another way. It's called 'steam-frying.' "You can do it with all kinds of foods but I love using the method for fried eggs. It's kind of a cross between poaching (which I also love but is a bit of a hassle as well) and frying." While it may sound odd it's quite easy to overcook an egg when using butter or oil – especially since most people tend to use too much, resulting in a greasy, burnt fried egg. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Lots of people also ruin their fried egg by attempting to flip it over to cook the top, which can be quite troublesome when you're simply trying to prepare a straightforward breakfast. However adding water to a frying pan creates steam. Article continues below It is easier and will make a fried egg tastier if steamed with a little water (Image: Getty ) This gently cooks the egg from above, preventing it from burning as the pan doesn't need to be on the heat for long, reports the Express. The steam cooks the entire egg simultaneously, allowing it to cook quickly and evenly, including the top, resulting in a perfect golden yolk without the need to flip the egg. Steam-frying is a straightforward cooking technique and once you've mastered it you'll be able to whip up a perfectly-cooked egg in less than five minutes with minimal effort. Frying eggs with butter and oil can lead to them becoming a greasy mess (Image: Getty ) How to cook the perfect fried egg Start by heating a frying pan on medium-high heat on the hob. Lightly spray the pan with cooking oil then crack the egg into a small bowl. Once the pan is hot swiftly pour the egg from the bowl into the pan. Cracking the egg into a bowl first makes it easier to remove any shell fragments that may have fallen in. Reduce the heat to medium and let the egg cook for one minute until it starts to turn white but hasn't set yet. Article continues below Next drizzle a teaspoon of water around the edges of the pan, lower the heat, and then place the lid on the frying pan. Allow the egg to cook for another minute then simply remove the lid and your perfectly-cooked fried egg should be ready to serve.
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Stop using two things to fry eggs as expert names 'game-changing' tip
A cook named Kaitlin has taken to social media to share the 'game-changing' cooking hack she uses to make the perfect fried eggs without using any oil or butter Frying an egg seems like a piece of cake, but there's nothing more disappointing than it turning into a rubbery mess in the pan due to excessive oil and butter. Kaitlin, a culinary maestro and founder of Modern Vintage Cooking, insists on bypassing the typical use of butter or oil for frying eggs as it often leads to a "big mess". Instead, she endorses a mere splash of water. She explained: "I've discovered that there is another way. It's called 'steam-frying.' You can do it with all kinds of foods, but I love using the method for fried eggs. It's kind of a cross between poaching (which I also love, but is a bit of a hassle as well) and frying." The risk of overcooking and ending up with a greasy, burnt egg is higher when using butter or oil, primarily because many people tend to use too much. Countless folks have ruined a perfectly good fried egg in their attempt to flip it over to cook the top – an action that can lead to unnecessary complication when all you want is a simple brekkie. Yet, introducing water to the frying pan invites steam that softly envelops and cooks the egg from above, preventing any burning since you won't have to keep the pan heated for extended periods. Steam ensures even cooking of the entire egg, resulting in a swift process that yields a gorgeous golden, wobbly yolk without the need for flipping, reports the Express. Mastering the technique of steam-frying is straightforward, and once you've got it down, you're guaranteed a flawlessly cooked egg in under five minutes, and that too, with minimal fuss. How to cook the perfect fried egg You will need: A teaspoon of water One egg A frying pan with a lid Cooking spray Instructions: Start by warming up the frying pan over medium-high heat on the hob. Lightly spray the pan with cooking oil, then crack the egg into a small bowl. Once the pan is sufficiently heated, swiftly pour the egg from the bowl into the pan. Cracking the egg into a bowl first makes it easier to remove any shell fragments that may have fallen in. Reduce the heat to medium and let the egg cook for one minute until it starts to turn white but hasn't fully set yet. Next, drizzle a teaspoon of water around the edges of the pan, lower the heat, and then place the lid on the frying pan. Allow the egg to cook for another minute, then simply remove the lid and your perfectly cooked fried egg should be ready to savour.
