We’ve all been there, awkwardly scanning a crowd of seemingly unpenetrable groups of friends, wondering where we fit in. While adults can busy themselves on phones and act unconcerned, high schoolers will often resign to sitting alone and getting made fun of, or worse, lugging their lunches to a bathroom stall.
Thanks to an entrepreneurial, tech-savvy 16-year-old, the painful awkwardness of school lunchrooms may soon be a thing of the past. “Sit With Us”, an ap by Natalie Hampton, is one that makes good on the universal bonding quality of sharing a meal.
The app’s slogan, “the first step to a warmer, more inclusive community begins with lunch,” says it all: It aims to unite students over food to decrease bullying and social isolation in schools. To join, users simply create a profile and search for lunches near them. Users designate themselves as “ambassadors” to host open lunches at their school—some even create clubs for people to join.
The use of cell phones is crucial, and not only because most high schoolers are glued to them these days anyway. “This way it’s very private,” Hampton told Audie Cornish on NPR. “And you know that you’re not going to be rejected once you get to the table.”
Hampton, a bullying victim herself, is just one of millions of students suffering the profound and lasting consequences, including anxiety, depression, lower academic performance, and even, in extreme cases, violent retaliation.
Though staring at a cellphone all through lunch isn’t recommended, this might be one instance where iPhones and social interactions prove to be a delicious combination.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.