Woman Who Lost Her Boyfriend In A Fire Turns To Facebook For A Miracle
December 29, 2016

Facebook Plea Reunited Oakland Fire Victim's Girlfriend With Keepsake
Young and in love, Saya Tomioka and her boyfriend Griffin Madden thought they had their whole lives ahead of them when they were photographed in Times Square. Then, at just 23 years old, Griffin became one of the 36 who died in an Oakland warehouse fire. And a Facebook plea reunited Oakland fire victim's girlfriend with the cherished photo she thought was lost forever!
A Candid Moment Of Joy
The picture hadn't been planned. It was from a year ago, when Saya and Griffin had taken a trip together to New York City. The two were having a wonderful time. Giddy from all of the exciting sights and sounds, the two shared an affectionate kiss in Times Square after leaving a Broadway show. A random photographer caught the wistful moment with his camera. Though he showed the picture to Saya and Griffin at the time, the two never got his name or contact information -- something Saya would later regret. In her time of grief, Saya needed that photo. She needed a miracle. So, she turned to Facebook."I need some light right now. . . I need a reminder of the brightest light of all -- love." she wrote.

Reunited With A Special Moment
The mystery man's name was Arken Avan. He's a professional photographer from Queens who regularly snaps candid photos of loving couples in the heart of the city. He's captured more than a hundred of these special moments. But he recognized Saya and Griffin immediately."I actually remember their faces because they really look so adorable," he said. "I saw her lipstick on his cheek and she was having a pretzel."And just like that, the impossible became possible. In what many call a Facebook miracle, Saya finally had the cherished photo she feared was lost forever. And it brought her so much peace during such a difficult time.
"I have been hoping for a miracle, a glimpse of your light back into my life," she wrote on Facebook. "With the infinite help from our families, friends, and strangers, I finally found you. . . I've finally found you. I sobbed when I saw this photo in Thom's arms, and then, I immediately laughed uncontrollably. Life is so strange. I've lost you, but I've never felt stronger in my life. Through our many years of love and growth, I learned how to be strong from you."Seeing so many strangers work together to help this grieving woman is truly inspirational! "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4 [rsnippet id="2" name="ArticleAd-300x250-3"]
A husband explains the touching reason his wife slips her hand under his shirt.

Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Relax Because God Is Leading You - Your Daily Prayer - February 18
Let’s allow God to guard our hearts and minds giving us rest and peace. We don’t have to overanalyze every step anymore; we get to relax because God is always leading us.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Relax Because God Is Leading You - Your Daily Prayer - February 18
Let’s allow God to guard our hearts and minds giving us rest and peace. We don’t have to overanalyze every step anymore; we get to relax because God is always leading us.
Past Stories
- 98-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Has a Special Connection to Her Great-Granddaughter
- Mom Receives a Heartwarming Message From Best Friend After Son is Diagnosed With Autism
- Retired Army Medic Pays For Stranger's Breakfast and Leaves a Heartfelt Note
- Golden Retriever Saved by Lifeboat Crew After Running Into the Ocean After a Scare
- 10-Year-Old Boy is in Recovery After Being Struck by Plane Debris While Protecting Little Sister
- Car Accident on First Date Night Without Kids in a Year, Reminds Couple That God is in Control
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
- New Jersey High School Basketball Star Keeps Playing Through Cancer Diagnosis
- Dad Whose Daughter Died After Transplant Gives Kidney to Another Little Girl
- Musician is Reunited With Letterman Jacket, 30 Years After Ordering It Back in High School
- Twin Brothers Both Pop the Question Just Days Apart, Without Planning to Do So
- Girl Scout Saves Her Dad's Life Just 11 Days After Learning CPR
- This 100 Year Old Kentucky Centenarian Works At Home Depot, Offering Great Tips For a Long Life
- Woman Married 82 Years Has a Very Special Disney-Themed 100th Birthday Party
- Man Discovers 46 Year Old Christmas Present in the Wall of His Childhood Home
- 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Police Officers Wallet
- Her Cat Was Missing For 7 Years, But She Finally Came Back Home
- Delta Held a Plane So a Daughter Could Have One Last Goodbye With Her Dying Mother
- Even Through Dementia One Special Phrase Kept a Grandmother Connected to Her Husband
- Mom, Dad, and 6-Year-Old Daughter Are Heroes After Rescuing Woman From Overturned Car
- Couple Receive the Biggest Surprise Blessing After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
- Old English Sheepdog Who Appears to Have Special Powers, Receives an Award
- 49 Years Later Daughter is Reunited With Birth Mother and Other Family After Taking DNA Test
- 22 Family Members Surprise Grandparents With a Fun Family Sleepover
- Scared Doodle Rescued From Thin Frozen New Jersey Lake With Help From Neighbors Drone
- Woman Caught in a Riptide is Saved by Fisherman's Hook
- Couple Finds Lost Ring In a Snowy Wonderland During Engagement Photo Shoot
- Jimmy Carter, 39th President, Passes Away at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Service
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley Talks About Getting Her Voice Back After Losing It Two Years Ago
- 90-Year-Old From Oklahoma Is Rewarded For Going Out of His Way to Help Others
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
Top Music Videos

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Captivates with Heartfelt 'My Jesus' Live Performance

Mac Powell Mac Powell 'I Love Jesus' Official Music Video

Passion Music Passion - The Lamb's Book of Life

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - It Is Well

toby mac TobyMac’ ‘God Did It’ Official Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.