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By Maria Morava
Relationships Reporter
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Sometimes, reminders of lost loved ones reach us in unexpected ways: through a recording device built into a car from 2003, for example.
A video posted to TikTok by Julie (@juliannaharveyx) has gone viral after revealing the heartwarming memento she found when she bought her grandparents' car: a recording she had made of her and her grandfather, whom she called "pop-pop". Since the clip was posted on July 21, it has received over 889,000 views and more than 224,000 likes.
"My pop-pop passed away in December of 2022 and I just recently bought my grandparents' car and found this recording of us from almost 20 years ago," she captioned the video.
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The recording device was built into the car, which Julie revealed was a 2003 Cadillac CTS, and attached to the sun visor.
"Is that you, Julie? Did you want to talk to pop-pop while we're driving around in the car?" Julie's grandfather said in the recording. "OK, let's hear your message then."
Julie hesitated, and her grandfather continued: "Cat got your tongue, forget how to speak, did you?"
While Julie's message to her pop-pop was not fully realized, the recording features more of her grandfather than her—making it an even more meaningful memento as it displayed his character and sense of humor.
People in the comments were touched by the recording and the way Julie stumbled upon such a visceral discovery.
"You're so lucky to have this, man. My father passed away 11 years ago, and I realized three years ago that I don't remember his voice now," @yawa0n047 wrote. "Broke my heart cause why can't I? But I still remember his whistle."
"Isn't it funny how at the time you'd wanted to make a message with your pop-pop but you didn't know why," @wwwwdoth posted. "Then you discover this."
"Almost every day I listen to my grandmother voicemails," @inthelifeofajay commented. "It's been a long time since I've had someone tell me they were proud of me or that I was doing good for me and my family, I really miss her."
People revealed the way they cling to audio memories, in particular, writing that they re-listen to voice mails and voice memos to keep lost loved ones close: "I found a recording from my last New Year's Day with my grandpa and at the very end of the countdown he calls my name. It's like time traveling. So much love," @albaetc wrote.
Although Julie's inherited car is old, some had helpful advice for how to preserve the memories even when the car dies. Others just offered words of comfort.
"If you ever have to get rid of the car, remove that piece and keep it. You can power it off a 12 volt battery/power supply and listen to the recording," @sterlingeclectica wrote.
"He loved you so much, honey. You can hear it in his voice," @retrotechgirl posted. "I'm so sorry. He's there with you."
Newsweek reached out to @juliannaharveyx for comment via TikTok.
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