Can you imagine your entire life turning upsidedown within weeks?
Tommy Connolly was a regular guy enjoying life in his early 20s. A full-time student, part-time real-estate agent, and gifted athlete, the Australian native had his promising life turned upside down after a mysterious person reached out on Facebook.
The message altered his life forever:
In a matter of months, he became one of the youngest grandparents in the world. Yes, you heard that right!
Sounds impossible? Click Next to read this impossible story
Just Another Average Student
Tommy Connolly was your average hunky 23 year old at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Like many blokes out there, he had great friends and a loving family. No complaints, really!
Life seemed perfect with his future mapped out and all his plans on track. One fateful message is all it would take to throw all those goals straight into the 'rubbish bin'. What could possibly be in his inbox?
The Message
One fine day, Tommy received a Facebook message from his long-lost cousin. He hadn't been in touch with her since her family relocated to a place called Southport. The two hadn't spoken for nearly a decade.
The two cousins were close growing up according to Tommy, “I was really excited to hear from her because I’ve always had a soft spot for her. She was my favorite little cousin, she was the sweetest girl and we got along so well.”
A Teen In Trouble
The cousin was Kiarna, 16-years-old when she contacted Tommy, who was ecstatic to hear from her after all these years. However, only a few messages later he realized something wasn't right.
Since they last had seen each other, Kiarna's life had fallen into a series of unfortunate events, with the teenager struggling to survive. “She was homeless, no shoes, no phone, with less than a backpack full of clothes,” Tommy recalls. However, it wasn't just Kiarna who was at risk.
A Troubled Childhood
Tommy was stunned to hear what had become of his cousin. Issues with her family home led to her living on the streets alone. She resorted to sleeping outside the Gold Coast beach area with only the clothes on her back.
To survive, she turned to criminality and experienced her fair share of brushes with the law. She had also begun consuming illegal substances in order to come to terms with her desperate situation but had since gone cold turkey.
A Child In Jeopardy
Kiarna's boyfriend was imprisoned, leaving her all alone. As a minor on the streets, her fate was unknown.
Tommy would later write on Facebook, “Life dealt Kiarna a poor hand, and she’s had to play it best she could. She’s spent more time on the streets than anywhere else, and knows the police better than she knows her own family.”
Things were about to get better for Kiarna, as her situation was about to drastically change.
His Girlfriend
As they say, behind every successful person is someone helping to push them towards success. For Tommy, this was his girlfriend, Oliva Tauro, and his own supportive family. She was always supportive of both his athletic and business dreams.
Prior to dating each other, they had been friends for eight years. Furthermore, she encouraged him to travel out of Australia in order to pursue his dreams. Olivia would even be with Tommy through the intense period which was to follow.
Jumping Into Action
Tommy felt guilty that he hadn't come to know about her situation earlier. In his mind, he knew something had to be done to help his baby cousin - even if the price was steep.
“She didn’t ask me if she could stay with me but I had that day off work so I drove down to the Gold Coast straight away and picked her up. I took her to lunch and she told me her story,” Tommy recollects.
Her Story
The story troubled Tommy a great deal. “It made me want to do whatever it took to help her. It made any problems I ever had seemed irrelevant because the life she has had is so intense. My focus just immediately turned to her.”
“I went and picked her up and she basically started telling me about her situation, which was hard for me to hear because she was my favorite little cousin when I was growing up.”
A New Home
Without hesitation, Tommy insisted Kiarna come stay with him. He was steadfast in helping his young cousin any way he possibly could. Although the young man was still working and studying, he made a huge effort for it to work.
Kiarna arrived alone and illiterate. Tommy was bent on changing all this. The decision he would make next shocked everyone, however, little did Tommy know that his baby cousin was hiding a secret of her own out of fear.
The Big Step
Kiarna had a tumultuous life, having gone in and out of foster homes throughout her youth, eventually ending up on the streets. Tommy was determined this needed to end with him. He offered to become Kiarna's permanent guardian.
Tommy was resolute in ensuring his cousin received everything she deserved in life which had cruelly been lacking for her. He made it his mission to ensure she would be healthy, go back to school and be able to read and write.
The Secret
Kiarna was keeping a huge secret from Tommy - she was 23 weeks into her pregnancy! It frightened her thinking Tommy may choose not to help her once he found out. However, according to him, 'family is family' and he never thought about abandoning Kiarna.
Rather than helping his cousin financially or through a third-party such as a women's shelter, Tommy decided it would be best for him to look after his beloved relative, despite what it would cost him.
Bigger Issues
Learning Kiarna was pregnant was a shock to Tommy. But it wouldn't deter him in his plan to get full permanent custody of his cousin. He knew that not it was not only Kiarna who was at risk but her unborn baby too.
After keeping tabs on Kiarna, child services informed her that her child would be removed from her after she gave birth. This thought alone haunted Kiarna each and every day of her pregnancy.
A Second Chance
Kiarna admitted, “Since carrying this gorgeous boy, all of my friends kept telling me that he would be taken away from me. This made my pregnancy very difficult. All I wanted was to give this little man a better life than I had – a second chance was all I wanted.”
Kiarna would face a lengthy process with several challenges. Fortunately for the teenager, she now had her guardian angel of a cousin to be by her side.
Race Against Time
With the birth approaching its due date, Tommy was faced with a race against time to ensure all the documents were filed in time for him to be Kiarna's legal guardian. It was a race against time.
Sadly, their initial application was rejected as Tommy didn't meet the criteria to qualify as a foster parent. The two cousins were left devastated, and nervous over what would happen once the baby arrived. They still held onto hope, however.
Anything It Takes
After consulting a legal expert, Tommy understood there were ways these legal barriers could be overcome. Tommy ended up using his hard-earned life savings to move them into a larger rented apartment.
“Everyone likes to tell me this is such a big responsibility, but I wasn’t thinking about uni or work or anything, all I was doing was thinking that she needed me,” admitted Tommy. Tommy stopped training for his track and field competitions due to his decision to help.
Getting Ready
“I’ve spent the last few months working, moving houses, having meetings with different departments, signing forms, being assessed and monitored, chasing funds, setting up her bank accounts, buying baby stuff, furniture, going to hospital and doctor appointments, and getting her [Kiarna] settled in.”
Remarkably, Tommy found the time to teach Kiarna how to read and write, and even how to drive! With Tommy's help, she passed her driver's license test and received her learner driver permit.
You’re A Father
After helping make significant changes to both their lives, Tommy again filed for full custody of Kiarna, who was still legally a minor. They prayed it would all work out this time, and it was. Tommy had been approved as Kiarna's legal guardian.
Tommy said at the time, “Happy to say she has a new home, as I’ll be taking care of her from now on.” The cousins were thrilled over the news.
Other Reactions
Tommy remained confident with his decision to become Kiarna's legal guardian. Some, however, believed he was doing more than necessary seeing as he had been on track to become an international athlete, only dropping out in order to help his troubled cousin.
To the young man, family would always come first, regardless of personal cost. Tommy put everything into doing what he believed was right, even if helping Kiarna put a strain on his university studies and professional dreams.
Preparing For The Big Day
Kiarna's delivery date was fast approaching and suddenly her life looked vastly different from the one she was living only a few months before when she was literally living on the streets. Now she had a home, clothes to wear, her driver's license could read and write, and also got new braces.
Tommy still had one surprise left for his little cousin, he bought Kiarna a kitten as she had always dreamed of having one.
It’s Time
About two months after Tommy had become Kiarna's legal guardian, she gave birth to her healthy son on March 16th. Tommy was in the waiting room the entire time while working on his university assignment.
He was on hand to film the birth, cut the umbilical cord, and somehow found time to make it to class the next day to give a presentation. Kiarna named the boy Kayden. At just 23 years old, Tommy had become the world's youngest grandfather.
A New Family
When it comes to the baby, everyone helps out, especially Tommy and his girlfriend. Together, they make a happy family, even if it's an unconventional one.
“She’s the toughest girl I know!!” Tommy gushed about his cousin. “All she wants is for him to have a better life than she’s had. There’s still a long way to go, but things are on track and she has the opportunity she deserves. When bad things happen, it’s your family that supports you.”
A New Life
Tommy's brother Liam started a GoFundMe page for Kiarna, resulting in many people contributing. The total amounted to close $50,000.
Tommy wrote on his Facebook page, “Christmas came early for Kiarna today. She received funding for the first time, she’s moved into a house to get us a brand new fridge, washing machine, dryer, TV unit and some things for the kitchen. We are very lucky. Been a while since we’ve been able to wash our clothes properly!”
Real Estate Agent
Apart from his university studies, Tommy worked as a real estate agent when not busy being a grandfather. He says, “My cousin does 90 percent of the work– and if it’s one or two years of my life I have to put on hold to make sure two lives are going to be saved, it’s nothing at all.”
Tommy always dreamed of owning his own business. Somehow, he made sure he would achieve this goal while raising a young family.
Never Saying “Can’t”
Tommy soon took the bold step of venturing out on his own and established his very own real estate company, called UN Real Estate. His old boss had once remarked it wouldn't be possible for him to do so as he was far too young, lacked the industry experience, and couldn't manage the workload.
Tommy wanted to prove his former boss wrong and offered his own advice to his old manager, “Never tell somebody they CAN’T do something.”
UN Real Estate
Tommy, chose the name UN Real Estate as it was to be run by un-agents. “We are NOT stereotypical real estate agents. We are real people,” he explained. It was not because the company was "unreal".
Tommy wants his company to represent real people, not “sleazy manipulative pushy rude cheesy salesmen” as he admitted. UnReal Estate's motto is simple - “We don’t wear ties, we don’t tell lies.” This wasn't the only change Tommy was about to experience though.
Pay It Forward
Tommy still can't believe why the story of how he helped his cousin went viral. “Why did the post go viral? It was family helping family. That should always be a standard thing. Since then, we’ve had so many random acts of kindness from people we don’t even know.”
Tommy asked other people to pay it forward. He hopes it will have a ripple effect. Tommy believes small everyday acts of kindness can change the world.
The Best Gifts
“They say the best gifts in life come badly wrapped. When he was born, it all started to make sense. I lost some friends and family along the way…They never saw the bigger picture. All I wanted was to keep this boy safe and happy.”
Tommy wrote on Facebook: “I’d pick him every day of the week, 365 days of the year. I may not be your real dad, but I’m your family and I’ll always be here for you. I haven’t seen my real dad for over 13 years. I learned that a father is what a father does…”
Happy Birthday Kayden
“Family is what family does. Happy birthday to the happiest boy in Queensland, the best looking boy in the family, the best anti-depressant that money couldn’t buy, and the future world champion in whatever he chooses to do. I love you kid,” Tommy posted on his profile.
With their own place, Kiarna and Kayden managed to reconnect with family members Kiarna previously fell out with. Together everyone is helping raise little Kayden to give him the best life possible.
Living Life
As mother and son, Kiarna and Kayden appear to be doing just fine and enjoying life to the fullest. Kiarna ended up receiving her high school diploma, and now has a fulltime job enabling her to support her son.
Tommy Connolly may be one of the youngest grandfathers in the world, however, the world's youngest grandmothers are even younger. Keep reading to learn the story of the Romanian gypsy woman who became the world's youngest biological grandmother at age 23.
The World’s Youngest Grandmother
Romanian gypsy, Rifca, hold's the record for being the world's youngest grandmother. Today, Rifca is in her 30s, however, she became a grandmother for the first time when she was just 23 years old. Marrying young is customary in gypsy communities.
This wasn't your usual gypsy marriage though. Rifca had actually been promised to a different family since she was two years old. Rifca wasn't in favor of this arrangement as she fell in love with a different boy aged 13 at the tender age of 11.
Rebellion
Rifca's parents were against the idea she was in love with another boy since she was promised to another. Rifca remained strong-minded and ran away from home at the young age of 11.
The boy Rifca was in love with was 13 years old and named Ionel Stanescu. He was working as a jewelry seller when the two made the choice to get married with or without the approval of their families.
Marriage
“I wanted to marry him, so I agreed, and of course after we had spent the night together then there was no way anyone could separate us,” Rifca said after marrying Ionel against her parents' wishes.
This was the start of their troubles. In Romanian gypsy culture, the custom is for the groom's family to give a large dowry to the wife's family. Since none had been paid, her father was outraged. Rifca had not only married someone she was not meant to, but her family didn't receive any money which would have traditionally been theirs.
Maria
Soon after Rifca and Ionel were married, Rifca became pregnant. At just 12 years old, she gave birth to a baby girl named Maria. This made her one of the youngest mothers in the world, yet this was only part of what would happen.
“My dad was really annoyed at being cheated out of the right to decide who would be my husband and the dowry,” Rifca recalls. However, following the birth of her daughter, Ionel's family finally paid the dowry and the animosity between the two families was resolved.
Stay in School
“But then I got pregnant when I was 12 – a year later – and that meant that my husband’s family paid my father a dowry and then there was peace.” With peace now restored, Rifca, only desired the best for her baby daughter Maria.
Rifca wanted Maria to learn from her mistakes and to stay in school and receive a proper education. But to her own surprise, Maria too would have plans of her own. It seemed Maria took after her mother.
Like Mother Like Daughter
Despite parents Ionel and Rifca imploring their daughter to stay in school, Maria dropped out of school at age 10. It turned out she dropped out after she met a boy with whom she was planning on being wed.
Rifca was an understanding mother. “I did not try to stop my daughter getting married because this is the tradition, it’s what happens,” she said. In Romanian gypsy culture, it is normal practice for people to get married at a young age.
An Unexpected Turn
Maria was pregnant soon after the wedding. A short six months after she was married, Maria gave birth to a baby boy named Ion. This made Rifca a grandmother for the very first time. Rifca's mother became a great-grandmother at age 40.
Rifca bemoaned, “I am happy to be a grandmother but I wished something else for Maria – and something else for me.” Rifca couldn't help but regret that her daughter Maria, now a mother, had not listened to her and finished her education, thus making a better life.
Ion
Rifca admitted that gypsy culture is favored toward boys. “Ion is a good boy – and he is already engaged to a girl aged eight. Boys are always good to have – they don’t have to suffer as much as girls, I think.”
At just 23-years old, Rifca is the world's youngest grandmother. Although Guinness World Records doesn't list the world's youngest grandfather or grandmother, we're sure if they ever did, Rifca and Tommy would be shoe-ins for the list.
An Above Average Athlete
Tommy's young dream was to compete as a sprinter nationally. He really was an accomplished athlete in track and field! And frankly, it was starting to look like he had the potential to represent Australia in the big leagues. The coaches were all pretty optimistic!
With a disciplined work ethic, Tommy was taking major steps to make his vision come true in the near future. Little did he realize that his aspiring track career would soon be put on cold, cold ice by some unexpected news. Was it actually time to be a grandparent?
Off Time
The responsibilities of family life sometimes mean that people have less 'me-time'. What did Tommy like to do, before he got the strange news?
Why, Tommy loved the outdoors! Hiking, white water rafting, and rock climbing all played a role in his life. But he even picked summer jobs that allowed him to spend time in Australia's world famous natural beauty, like selling fruits and veggies during university break.
Tommy worked hard and saved up his money. Soon, he would need this energy and drive to raise his grandson. Again, what could have led to this?
Goals Of Starting His Own Business
Tommy never knew what he was really preparing for, but his educational track would help out a lot in the end.
At university, Tommy pursued a business and economics degree. He had dreams of opening his own business one day, and managed his money well during this period. The frugal life was paying off, and our man saved a sizable amount!
Working towards the goals he thought he had, Tommy enjoyed one more thing: emotional support. They say behind every great man is a great woman, and this story is no exception to the rule. In one respect. anyway!
Who was the Aussie girl by his side before things got so damn complicated?