Woman Gifts Best Friend's 5-Month-Old a Stuffed Animal. Then It Makes the New Mom Cry 'Immediately' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Sutton Schoenekase with a stuffie.Photo:Courtesy of Aubrey Schoenekase

Courtesy of Aubrey Schoenekase

Aubrey Schoenekase and Rachel Clifton met in high school and have been best friends ever since.

Their bond is so special that when Schoenekase, who lives in Overland Park, Kan., gave birth to her now 5-month-old daughter, Sutton, Clifton, 31, was at the hospital. She was one of the first people to see and hold Sutton, and every week since then, Schoenekase says Clifton has asked when she can come visit.

“Rachel has a way of making everyone in her life feel seen, and I think that is such a gift,” Schoenekase, also 31, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “She remembers the big things, the small things, and everything in between. She is loyal, supportive and a friend that everyone wishes they had.”

“Making sure my daughter knows who she is and how much she loves her has been her priority since day one,” the mom adds.

Aubrey Schoenekase and Rachel Clifton.Courtesy of Aubrey Schoenekase

Recently, Clifton reached out to Schoenekase and told her that she had something for Sutton that she thought would make her cry. When she brought it over and Schoenekase opened it, she found a stuffed animal — a lovey.

But it wasn’t until she read the card that she realized the special meaning behind it. The stuffed animal had part of Clifton’s maid of honor dress — which she wore during Schoenekase’s wedding — sewn into it.

“I cried immediately,” Schoenekase says. “I instantly thought about the day I will get to tell Sutton about it and the meaning it holds.”

“My favorite part of the gift is what it represents,” she adds. “My friendship with her, the role she played on the best day of my life, and now, the relationship I hope she has with my daughter.”

Aubrey Schoenekase holds up the stuffie.Courtesy of Aubrey Schoenekase

After receiving the gift, Schoenekase took a video and posted it onTikTok. She thought it was so special, and hoped sharing it might inspire someone else to do this for a friend, too.

Then, the video went viral.

“I love seeing people say they want to do this with their dresses,” Schoenekase says. “I hoped it would inspire someone to do the same so I love seeing that. And of course, better than that, I love people reiterating how special of a friend Rachel must be, because she is. I already know that, but I love other people recognizing that too.”

Schoenekase adds how she gifted Sutton the lovely the day Clifton delivered it. Since then, she’s watched as her daughter holds onto it when they go for car rides.

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Sutton Schoenekase with the stuffie.Courtesy of Aubrey Schoenekase

“She loves it,” Schoenekase says. “But I can’t wait for her to be old enough to know the meaning it holds.”

“I already know they will share such a special bond,” she adds of her daughter and best friend. “I can’t wait for all of the fun things they get to do together, the sleepovers they will have, and memories they will make. And inevitably, the stories I’m sure Rachel will tell Sutton about me.”

source: people.com