Man surprises his third-grade teacher after 30 years and helps him check off his bucket list dream

Garrett Gee(@thebucketlistfamily), a famous YouTuber who, along with his wife, Jessica, and their adorable kids, is often seen on adventure trips, recently made his teacher, Mr. Botitta, experience his dream-come-true moment. After 30 long years, Garrett returned to the same classroom where his teacher still teaches, and surprised him with a fighter jet experience — something that was always on Mr. Botitta's bucket list. The beautiful video has got over 122k since it was aired on May 5, 2025.

Garrett, a third-grader, was going through a bad phase in life processing his parents' separation, but it was his teacher who helped him out of the situation. "It was a tough time for me. Mr. Botitta, you saved me in a lot of ways," Garrett confessed, as he surprised his teacher, three decades later. He went on to narrate a specific incident where Mr. Botitta helped him get back his self-confidence. Once, the teacher walked into the class and asked his students to write him a letter, convincing him to give the only candy bar he had brought to them. Garrett's letter impressed his teacher, and he ultimately won the candy bar title that day. "It was perhaps the first time in my life I truly felt like you know what? I can do hard things! I have value, I am seen, I can dream big," he recalled.

Garrett's respect for his teacher had grown 10-fold when he had seen him serving at the restaurant, and he had visited with his family. He knew Mr. Botitta was a self-made, honest man who deserved to experience his bucket list. So, Garrett called all his students, and while he was pretending to plan his teacher's bucket list, Mr. Botitta shared his desire to fly in a fighter plane. Finally, the moment Garrett was waiting for arrived, and he announced, "You and I, buddy, we're going on a fighter jet!" With the help of Sky Combat Ace, a company offering aviation experience, Mr. Botitta and Garrett flew high in their fighter jets, living the once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Notably, Garrett is scared of heights, but the only reason he still decided to go on a fighter jet was to honor his teacher, who had a positive impact on his life. Just like him, children with strong student-teacher bonds, are benefit significantly in both personal and academic lives. In fact, research by Roger Williams University claims that a strong or positive bond with the teachers can result in higher academic progress and foster better behavioral and social growth. Meanwhile, echoing the sentiments of the video, @denisejordan64 commented, "Teacher here. The way you honored Mr. Botitta was so wonderful! I cried throughout the video! Thank you for your love and support of teachers."

@meggiemartin1637 wrote, "I am a teacher and ugly cried through the entire video. What you did for this teacher that was meaningful to you is amazing! I think the greatest part of helping others, or watching others, accomplish something on their bucket list, is that it makes others just as happy! This isn't on my bucket list; I don't know this teacher or your family, but I am sure it filled my heart as much as this teacher! Thanks for spreading kindness and magic."

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