Good news 2020: Sharing our favorite local, inspirational stories

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - 2020 was a year that no one expected – but amid all the unknowns going forward, we also wanted to share the stories that filled us with joy this year.

There were stories of incredible love, like the couple WIS’ Caroline Coleburn spoke to who celebrated 70 years of marriage during the pandemic.

“I think a lot of times we do stories and then we’re running to get the next interview,” Coleman noted, “but when I talked to the Rileys, something about them and their love story...it was just really inspiring to see that after all this time they haven’t let their love for one another fade away.”

There were also stories that saw people who were struggling, triumph over their obstacles.

Our Emily Wakeman met a South Carolina woman who lost one of her legs and her husband in a horrific boating accident. With strength and love, she was not only able to walk again but took her first steps with her new prosthetic leg in front of thousands of people with Coach Dawn Staley.

“To have a story where you watch someone who’s lost so much yet wake up with this incredible determination and positive attitude...it makes you feel hopeful and it makes you feel like you can accomplish anything too,” Wakeman said.

And 2020 wasn’t just about the people, but about the furry friends on four legs who we love too.

A story about a pig, without the ability to use his hind legs, who paints to keep himself happy touched the heart of WIS’ Adam Minzter and brought him a new perspective on the year.

“I remember I left that story thinking, this is a pig who paints...” Minzter said, “so we can do anything...even if we’re stuck alone, even if we feel trapped, we can still have fun and make memories and make people smile.”

While this is just a sampling of a few stories that touched our hearts & minds this year, we hope there are many more stories of joy & hope to come in 2021.

Copyright 2020 WIS. All rights reserved.