A 3-year-old boy from New Jersey has become an internet sensation after his heartfelt reaction to seeing Mickey Mouse live at Disney on Ice.
At a Glance
- Mali Valentine burst into happy tears when Mickey Mouse took the ice, repeatedly saying “That’s my boy” as the crowd watched.
- The Instagram clip has collected 1.5 million likes since his parents posted it earlier this month.
- Disney, moved by the moment, invited the family to Walt Disney World so Mali could finally hug his hero.
- Why it matters: The viral video reminds parents that simple shared experiences can mean the world to a child.
The emotional moment unfolded after parents Diamonique and Marcus Valentine decided to carve out special time for their son once baby sister Mahzi arrived last November. “We wanted to make sure he continued to feel loved and had some one-on-one time with Mommy and Daddy,” Diamonique told News Of Los Angeles.
Mickey Brings Tears of Joy
During the performance the family was dancing in their seats when Mickey glided onto the ice. Mali’s smile quickly turned to tears. In the now-viral footage he can be seen pointing and repeating, “That’s my boy,” his small voice cracking with excitement.
“We had no idea that his reaction would be that big when Mickey came out,” Diamonique said. “We were just dancing and having a good time and next thing we know our boy is so full of emotions and joy that it brings tears to his eyes, which brought tears to our eyes.”
The parents, both in their mid-30s, found themselves crying too. “As parents you just want to give your kids the world and you never know that little moments like these for them are the world,” she explained.
A Love Story That Started Last Summer
Mali’s devotion to Mickey began the previous summer when he discovered Disney cartoons. Soon the family adopted character names: Mali was Mickey, Mom was Minnie, and Dad became Goofy. “Mickey started being his boy from the beginning,” Diamonique recalled. “We knew he loved Mickey, but had no idea it was of this magnitude.”
After the show Diamonique asked her son why he cried. Mali answered simply: “Because he’s like my buddy.” The toddler added that he loves Mickey and had hoped for a hug, though the mouse had already left the ice.
Disney Steps In
The video’s popularity caught Disney’s attention. “After the cameras went off, because of the virality of the video of his reaction to seeing Mickey, Disney reached out to send us to Walt Disney World to meet Mickey,” Diamonique said. “It was an amazing experience.”
Since returning home, Mali watches the original clip daily and tells his parents he misses Mickey. The family keeps the video saved on their phones so he can revisit the moment whenever he likes.
Online Response Warms Parents’ Hearts
The comments section under the post has filled with messages calling the moment “pure” and “the sweetest thing ever.” Diamonique described the feedback as both gratifying and reassuring. “More times than not we doubt and question whether or not we are doing and saying the right things to our kids and this was the reminder that we are doing a good job,” she said.
For now, the Valentines plan to keep creating small but meaningful outings for both children. Diamonique hopes other parents feel encouraged to do the same. “You never know which memories will stick,” she noted. “Sometimes the simplest outing becomes the moment they talk about for years.”
Key Takeaways
- One outing created a lifelong memory and a viral moment.
- Disney rewarded the family with a theme-park trip after the clip exploded online.
- Parents say the experience affirmed that attentive, loving moments matter more than elaborate gifts.
