I know this is a tough song for everyone, but one of the most important things we can do for someone who is no longer with us, i simply to remember them. Taylor wrote this song for Ronan, I want to make sure I listen to it for him as well ❤ Time for a good cry Swifties 💜
Just wanted to pop in to say, please forgive those who initially typed out reactions of distress to find that you've reacted to this! Some folks can't watch, and your call for avoiding those is near to 11 minutes in, I PROMISE those folks are not trying to 'disobey' or disrespect. I would have stopped you if I could but it's done, and your reactions are valid, as horrid as the understanding of what's happened is. Love ya, Luke, please don't be disappointed at the number of those comments, I promise they're not meant rudely!
You're a dad just like I am... we get it if we have hearts... I'd be teaching Jordan to drive and likely ride motorcycles lol... your empathy is exemplary... these boys are gone but loved and remembered!! And my girls... oh lawd!
You’re right you know. In watching this video and listening to this song you are bearing witness to the joy and beauty and love as well as the pain and suffering of Ronan’s short life. When someone you love dies all you want (besides wanting them back) is for people to not forget them. A friend of mine died in a car accident when we were both 16 and I’m 45 now and I’ve tried to check in with his mom here and there to let her know when I’m thinking about Henry. She always says she’s so glad I haven’t forgotten about him. I wish Ronan were still here but his mother must feel such gratitude that her sweet boy will never be forgotten.
“We are nothing but memories” is true and thanks to Taylor, Ronan will never be forgotten 🕊️ Reminds me of the saying “everyone dies twice, the 1st time when they bury you and the 2nd time when someone says your name for the last time” Helps us to remember to make good memories with the ones we love, tomorrow is never promised 💔🫶
She’s only played this song twice live. Once at a Stand Up To Cancer and once at her 1989 tour when Maya Thompson was in attendance. Even she cries during these performances
I just happened to have flipped to the channel that was airing the Stand Up to Cancer benefit that day, and I saw her perform this whole song live. It destroyed me and I figured everyone would be talking about it online after, but I never did hear much about it. I couldn't believe it. It amazes me that someone who doesn't have children can write a song like "Ronan." It's not that people without children couldn't empathize with the situation, but when you're a parent, it just hits different (as TS says). Somehow, she managed to capture that love in a song. You can't write a song like this and not be a wonderful, caring person. You'll never convince me otherwise.
I appreciate that she doesn't play/promo this song often, and demonstrates a level for reverance for it. Only playing it when it's appropriate to do so. It so easily could be used to as a sympathy and/or cash grab.
Oh Luke! Please do some self care after listening. This is one of Taylor's most BEAUTIFUL songs and you're right! It needs to be listened to. I feel like every time it's listened to Ronan is remembered. THANK YOU for listening. There is a live version where Taylor played this for the first time at a Stand Up to Cancer fundraiser. Check that out on your own if you so wish. By the way, I sat with you the whole time. You weren't alone.
This is one of the sweetest comments I’ve ever seen I was amazed Taylor kept her eyes dry live (I imagine she was determined not to make it about herself). I heard she did lose it back stage
I saw an interview with the parents, where they told, that Taylor asked them, if they wanted to have this song on the Re-Records or not. Because, you know, maybe they wanted to close this chapter of their life forever and not be reminded. But of course they gave permission and wanted the song to be there, so that - just as you said - the memory lives on and therefore in a way Ronan does. 💔 They said, Taylor was as nice about this as you can be.
You don’t look a mess… You look like an empathetic, wonderful father who loves deeply and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable on the internet. That is the opposite of a mess. That’s beautiful. I have never listened to this song without crying. I hope I never do. God forbid my heart ever grow that desensitized. Thank you for reacting to this, despite the struggle. All proceeds from any stream of this song goes to the charity set up in Ronan’s name, so some good comes from this tragedy. Let’s hope with research and time, there are fewer stories like Ronan’s.
This is my go to song when people say that Taylor can’t sing, has no talent, is fake, doesn’t care about anyone but herself, etc. 💔😭💔🙏🥰 This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, she didn’t have to make this, she WANTED to as a gift for Ronan’s loved ones. She even listed his mom as co-writer and the proceeds go towards his family and his charity for the kids whose lives are cruelly destroyed by childhood cancers.
No need to apologize for getting super emotional with this song friend. I have been listening to this for over a decade and I can’t get through it without crying. Ronan was a beautiful kid and it’s not fair he didn’t get a full life. That is certainly worth a few tears.
@@SwiftieXinfinity She actually sang it live one other time during the 1989 tour when Mama Maya was in attendance. I do believe that those are the only 2 times she has sang it live though.
Oh, Luke🫶 As a mother, I had never allowed myself to listen to this song. I just didn’t see a need. Like, why intentionally hurt myself, you know? But your point in the beginning of the video (and throughout as well) that this song keeps Ronan’s memory alive, got me to listen to it along with you today…..and sob, of course. Thank you for being such a light in this community🫶
Not only are you the best reactor for this song, you’re the best Swiftie reactor on the internet. Your heart is just as big as the rest of us Swifties!!!
Everyone needs to play this often. You can go outside or something but let it play. That is how his mother gets money from the royalties. I try to listen at least once a month.Please do it for his mother and her charity, and Ronan memory as Luke said.
I can’t imagine it either. To lose a child at such a young age with such a horrible disease must be devastating and heartbreaking for any parent to experience. Thank you Taylor for leaving Ronan’s family with an amazing song to memorialize their beautiful son. Love to Luke for having an emotional heart and an unending love for his own two boys. ❤❤❤
As a father of two little ones, you need to so this despite your sensitivity. It does need to be heard because Ronan lived. He was real. His mom is real. Their story matters. Thank you.
Oh Luke! Thank you so much for reacting to this with your beautiful soul. My son died as a baby and left behind my youngest (his twin) and my oldest son and daughter. So many run and hide from this song which I totally understand, but as a loss parent, I appreciate so much that you didn't. We often feel no one wants to remember our babies because people generally shy away from pain. Even the idea of it. My husband's family won't even say my son's name 8 years later. They don't count him when they say how many grandkids they have. To them, he died so he never existed. His twin and I share the illness that took him and could potentially go from complications at any time (though we are currently as stable as we can get with treatment). It's our reality every day. Feeling like people have forgotten or choose not to remember is horrible. Sometimes I bring him up and people instantly look away and change the subject. No one remembers him like my husband and I do. And my sweet little guy who misses his twin every day. So again, as a loss mom, thank you for choosing to do this even though it hurt. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. If you feel up to sharing his name with us, please do so that this community can remember him 🫶❤️ sending so much love to you
I'm sorry to hear that people don't want to remember, I know the pain can be easier to ignore then deal with for some. All I can do is pass on the lessons to my son's that it is important to remember ❤️
@@GOTGames Thank you so much! And you're absolutely right. Sometimes all we can do is pass on what we've learned. My kids know it's good to talk about anyone we love and miss. That it's healthy to remember. They're proud of their brother. And that's a good start for future generations. I have no doubt your children will be kind and empathetic like you. ❤️
Please don't ever apologize for being so genuine with your emotions ❤ your authenticity is what keeps me coming back to your channel. I watched all the way through because I didn't want you to watch it alone ❤
Ok, we made it through. You're so right. I lost my grandpa last month, and I was thinking about not going to the funeral, I didn't want to see him like that, but I decided to go and I spent the day with a ton of people who knew him, even from before I was born. Talking to them and hearing their stories about him restored the image I had of him in my heart, strong and proud, not sick and constantly in bed. We truly are the memories we leave behind.
@@GOTGamesI think that's why the 'when they point to the pictures, please, tell'em my name' line in Long Live gets me so much (and why I cried so hard watching Disney's Coco). To have touched someone's life so deeply that they tell stories about you after you're gone is so special.
I wanted you to react to this song for this exact reason. Not to see you broken or crying, but to watch someone who could appreciate the song and truly feel it. For someone who would take a piece of Ronan with him moving forward. Every time someone watches this or listens to this song, they are getting to know that little boy and they are sending funds to the Ronan Foundation so that maybe one day no other parent has to go through this loss. You are the best reactor for this video because of your authentic emotions. Please don't apologize for those emotions ever. They are the part of you that allow you to love and express your love for your boys so freely.
Taylor performed this at a cancer fundraising event and she was very obviously struggling but she held it together. But there are paparazzi photos of her leaving out the back door after singing and she is absolutely sobbing. If you ever feel up to it and are interested, maybe watch that performance just on your own time, not as a reaction necessarily but just to see it. I understand if you choose not to though. I also have two sons, and both of them have had very serious health issues so I tend to avoid this song, but I listen every so often to honor little Ronan. Thank you for your vulnerability Luke. 🫶🏼
Thank you for being you, Luke. ❤️ We all knew-because we cried too…and still do. It’s a beautifully crafted song. Now go listen to it in private and sob as much as you want…Hugs.
I've actually never listened to this song because I knew it would be hard. I always just skip over it. So I thought hey let's watch it together... I just paused at 6mins to come say I'm crying right there with you friend. This is a tough one lyrically but it's the pictures that go with that's breaking my heart even more. 💙
same!! everyone said they cried to this song so I just never wanted to listen to it and I decided to watch this video and listen with him and i’m fully bawling my eyes out 😭
Me to. I knew it would be too hard so I avoided it. But I’m here and I’ll ride it out with him and cry with him. I recently lost my nephew at 1. Turned out to be a heart defect. No one could have done anything but that’s all you tell yourself, what could I have done?
A person would have to have a heart of stone to not cry listening to this. Don’t ever apologize or feel bad that you have a sensitive heart. It’s beautiful. You’re a great dad and you’re showing your boys how to be compassionate men. Never change.
Ya did a great job with lovely, kind commentary. I started crying before you pressed play. I got 3 kids of my own. Proud dad. My oldest graduates from HS tomorrow. She only wants to take care of people, esp. kids so she plans on going into pediatric medicine. (I'd call that success as a father! God willing). Maybe she can help some future child like Ronan. My other two kids are much younger blondes with blue eyes. It's a joy to watch them grow and change. This song hits hard.
When I saw this notification come up all I could say was alright its time to sit and cry with Luke. This song is beautiful and listening to it is the best way to continue to remember this little man.
I remember saying to myself a few months ago “please don’t do Ronan.” I knew it would wreck you as it did me. I didn’t want you to feel what I felt watching it, but this child existed and was truly loved. He needs to be honored. I have one child, a son and Thank God everyday for him. I lost 7 people in the last 2 years, one was the LOML. It will never be something easy to deal with and especially a child. I still cry each day. There are no words. I’m watching you and understand your tears. ❤
Oh my god oh my god oh my god I can’t believe you’re actually doing this one. It’s one of my favorite songs but it’s SO hard to get through ❤ I also feel like this is one of the most surprisingly morbid songs she’s written, for a song that only used the word “died” once. There’s just this sense of dread about the whole thing.
You don’t have to apologize for your tears. I tear up every time I hear this song, and I never had children. You are a good man, and I’m sure that you are a wonderful husband and father. Be well, be happy. 😢❤
You made it through what I believe is her saddest song released. It's a double whammy of intense sadness for this family and also just seeing my son and knowing it can happen to any beautiful kid, it doesn't judge by how wonderful they are. I am now going to go give my 6 year old a HUGE hug 🫶
That’s the kicker, isn’t it? We like to imagine it will never happen to us, that somehow we can keep our loved ones safe, but as the saying goes, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” (Whether you think of it as God, chance, or the culmination of factors outside our control, the gist is the same). Listening to “Ronan” reminds us that life isn’t fair and terrible things happen to even the most innocent, and it’s only natural to want to shy away from that…but it also reminds us to never take what we have for granted, for you to give your son a huge hug, for me to call the friends I’ve been meaning to catch up with, to make sure the people we love know that we love them. I think we all need that reminder now and again. Even if it’s hard to hear, it’s an important message and a beautiful legacy.
OH NOOOOO! I was hoping you wouldn't have to go through the pain of listening to this song for the first time. I can't listen to it without crying. Though great reaction!
A few reactions ago ....you said that you remembered a time you wouldn't cry at anything...then you said that you didn't miss that version of yourself....never apologize for feeling...for crying ...because to feel ..to cry for others ..ourselves...is a gift ...hugs
I am one of your followers who voiced that this was one for you to avoid for the reasons you listed, but I am glad you did, and the reasons you mentioned why you chose to do so were beautiful. This is beyond rough, but I watched the whole thing with you, with a pounding heart, shaking hands and tears streaming down my face. Thank you for choosing to watch, listen and respect the song and for the memory of Ronan 🫶
Taylor is so empathetic! It's incredible how she can emote and write like she was actually his Mom! Luke you are such a good human and I know for a fact that as soon as this was done you went down and cuddled your boys! Beautiful sentiments about losing those you love. Brightest Blessings friend.. PS- I've heard this song countless times and I have never been able to hear it without crying!
Your reaction is the only true one to this Ronan Tribute. ❤ Never apologize for your looking while being an honest man! We love you ❤ best wishes from Germany 🤍
Don't apologize for having an open heart and the willingness to let others experience your emotions. We are right there with you. This is honoring a real person who will never get to make his mark on the world. Taylor, and you also, have made sure that Ronan's life will be known and remembered.
I’m glad you listened to this song because Ronan’s family deserve all the love and prayers that come with listening. And we’re here with you feeling the pain as well so we’re all in it together. ❤
lost my mom in october last year to cancer, and it is never goodbye, it is 'Until we meet again.' Ill see her again, one day. Just cause i cannot see her, does not mean she isnt around. And when i die? I only want them to realise one thing. I tried.
I don't know how she could get through this beautiful song without her voice breaking. She's just so very good, on so many levels. I hadn't listened to this before because I knew I would cry - and I am. Your reaction is exactly what I expected. You're a good man.
Taylor’s discography is full of some of the best songs ever written/ made. She has won MANY awards for them. She has a few songs that have always stood out to me. These songs are emotionally devastating and sincere. Marjorie (about losing her maternal Grandmother) Ronan (about Ronan, a young boy taken too soon from cancer) Soon You’ll Get Better (about her parent’s struggles with cancer) Epiphany (about her paternal Grandfather’s time in WWII) Bigger Than The Whole Sky (she has never come out and said who or what this song is about. Fans have speculated that the song is talking about the grief of a miscarriage. However, she did preform this song live for the first time at the Rio de Janerio leg of “The Eras Tour”, dedicating it to Ana Clara Benavides. Whom died at the previous concert due to cardiac arrest from heat exhaustion). These are heartbreaking songs, yet beautifully made with extreme care and love.
My kids are grown. The worst day of my life was sitting in a hospital room as my son and daughter in law held their newborn son. The beautiful baby boy who would make them a family. But it was may 27, 2017 and he wasn't due until september. They held him close as his tiny heart beat for the first and last time. Watching my son's heart break into a million pieces, left me shattered. Xander Bennett was born May 9, 2018 and Rae Catharine on july 16, 2020. On may 27th every year they light a candle for Kade Bennett, the missing piece in their jigsaw puzzle of life. Thank you for your honesty
Luke, the amount of love you show for your boys has honestly helped heal some old wounds for me. Your willingness to be vulnerable and show emotion helps me believe there are good men and caring fathers out there. Thank you for all you do 💛
I love how you appreciate every Taylor song. You are awesome!!! Don't ever question yourself if people enjoyed your reaction, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! And the appreciation you have for Taylor ❤❤❤
My kiddo is 20 and this song still crushes me. I can't imagine the pain. I hope you do what I did after I first heard it. Having watched many of your reactions, I know you will. Go hug those boys tight. As tough as this song is, it's a beautiful reminder that life is short. When it came out, I hugged my daughter and didn't want to let go. And, she understood as a fellow Swiftie.
I cried right along with you, Luke! Ronan is such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful little boy. As heartbreaking as this song is, it is important as it helps keep Ronan’s memory alive! He is loved by so many! ❤️
Your reaction to this makes it even more beautiful. It’s raw and real and you didn’t cover it up Or turn off the camera… Our world during these times has gotten so callused because there is so much pain and heartache so we turn away for our own sanity and survival. It’s heartbreaking but also beautiful to see your compassion and empathy for this mother and child. Complete strangers but in just those few minutes you let them into your heart and i am so glad you shared it with us 😢❤ 🥰 The best reaction to this song was to feel it and let the music and lyrics speak for themselves ❤ 🥰 You definitely do not need to apologize for letting yourself be vulnerable with all of us.
I’m so glad you did react to this song. Taylor wrote this song by herself but credited Maya due to her blog, and Maya gets royalties every time someone listens to it ❤
I’m a swiftie since 2012 (since RED og was released) and I remember the day this song was released. I read about it before listening to it and I wasn’t really prepared for the emotional impact it would cause. I didn’t need to have a son to feel the empathy for Ronan’s family and today I can’t still imagine how hard is for someone to lose a child. Now that I’m an uncle I just hope my nephew has everything he needs and I pray every day for him to be happy and healthy, with his parents by his side as long as possible. Thank you for your most sincere reaction and NEVER apologize for showing the humanity in you.
I was there crying with you Luke for all 24 minutes, and I'm 66 year old dad of 2 boys. It's a sad song, and the bridge is brutal. I applaud your efforts to lighten it for yourself. As you know from the editing, you look OK m8. Children change your whole complexion on life. Luke, you've done Ronan, time to move on. How about "Soon You'll Get Better" which Taylor wrote after she heard Andrea, her mother had been given a cancer diagnosis. (The One World: Together at Home version)
I would love for him to hear “Soon You’ll Get Better. I was 29 when I lost my mom- my best friend, to cancer. This song came out right after her passing, and although it broke my heart to remember things more clearly each time, I was also comforted because I had second guessed my approach. I kept wondering if I should’ve been realistic and talked to her about her wishes. It all happened so fast in the end it was too late. I felt guilty about telling her she’d beat it and changing course if she said otherwise. I thought being positive could give her hope enough to gain strength in her fight. Taylor showed me in this song that it’s a natural reaction, even if sometimes it’s delusional- just to try to brighten that person’s worst time the tiny bit you can. “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” also hits me even though I’m not sure the context this was written in, because it applies to my feelings too. That’s why Taylor is so lovable. She covers our emotions on every end of the spectrum and is relatable to everyone.
@@JonJon-dx3up So sory for your loss. Luke, sometimes it's better to tackle the HEAVY emotional songs so you can return to the "frivolous" songs to lighten your mood. Get them all over and done with is my advice, Luke. I doubt any will really hit much harder than Ronan due to the ages of your sons, but as JonJon has said "Soon You’ll Get Better" had a personal resonance with him.
Not a Swiftie, but not a hater either. I never heard this song before, but damnit if I'm not crying along with you, Luke, while holding my dog. Beautiful song, beautiful tribute. ❤ Hugs!
Oh god I did not think you were gonna listen to this anytime soon. It is a painfully beautiful song and I cannot listen to it without crying, so I cried with you this time. Take care Luke 💕
I didn’t want to fully skip a Taylor video, so I skimmed and kept the volume down 😢 As soon as you said three year old I knew I couldn’t listen. I’ve always avoided this song, I haven’t listened to it all the way through. I have a 3.5 year old who’s my world and I just haven’t been able to do it. I lost my mom to cancer and I can’t imagine the two worlds colliding. You made it through Luke!
We're here luke,don't apologise we all had the same reaction to this little man,,I have a son an daughter in their 30s now an I cant imagine this mama's heartache,god bless her heart..💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
Don’t worry Luke, we stayed with you the whole time. The very first swift video you did… I was there, saying how crushed you would be listening to Ronan. Then later I learned you had young boys and I said, maybe don’t do that yet, Luke. You’re a brave soul, my man. And I’m sure it will inspire you to value the hugs, the noise, the toys, really your boys’ souls that much more. You’ve been gifted the ultimate enrichment by Taylor. So proud of you, my swiftie friend.
Luke, your words perfectly summed up why I always refuse to skip this song or any reaction video to it I come across here on YT. It’s incredibly painful every time, but Maya is the one who had to live through the reality - not us - and Maya & her family are the ones who still live daily with the grief. The very least I can do is help keep Ronan’s legacy alive by supporting this song; letting this song remind me time and again of who Ronan was, how deeply Maya loved him, and how beautiful & brave she was to share his (their) story with the world. I make friendship bracelets with Ronan’s name on them because even though I know Swifties instantly get sad when they see it I think it’s so important to help keep his name & memory alive by including him in this beautiful ritual we have of the bracelets. I wanted Swifties to literally be out in the world walking around with his name in their wrists, a daily reminder of this beautiful boy. Because, as you said, this song is horribly painful to experience but it’s NOTHING compared to what Maya & their family experienced - if they can live through it, bravely share it and pick at those scars again and again over the years to continue talking about him + having Swifties regularly contact them on socials to give love and condolences and other such things all because it brings them JOY and PEACE to know he’s not being forgotten… then, yes, the absolute least you and I (and everyone) can do is have the respect to listen to this song, memorialize this story in our own hearts, and help to keep Ronan’s legacy going strong despite how difficult it feels every single time we play this song. For all of these reasons and more, Luke, I want to thank you for not just insisting on reacting to this despite knowing how hard it would be for you but also thank you for the many levels of emotional wisdom & respect you brought to this by acknowledging WHY it’s necessary for us no matter how painful. Our pain in knowing / remembering Ronan through this song will never begin to compare with the pain felt my the Thompson family, and I agree with you 100% that it would be disrespectful NOT to listen to this song simply because we know it’s going to hurt our hearts. Thank you, Luke, for always being so authentically emotional and for allowing Ronan’s beautiful blue eyes to be burned into your memory from this day onwards ❤🩵❤️🩹
I saw this live when she first performed this song and it was gut wrenching and every time I’ve seen it since , it’s even more gut wrenching! 😢 Taylor really did capture Ronan and somehow put her magic to work with her music, vocals and lyrics with help from his Mama. ❤
I can't believe you listened and watched this and I can't believe I watched this with you. I never listen to this song, its just too heartbreaking for me. But you did a great job reacting to it, I'm proud of you for going through it.
Dude... you have nothing to apologize for. I'm a 55 year old man and this song makes me cry. Taylor is awesome and I know Maya loves her. Taylor can't perform this song without crying so we're in good company.
Loved your reaction, cried with you through the video. 💔 You could do the grammy performance of "mean" for next tuesday, perhaps in combination with i bet you think about me or the music video of mean. But definetely the grammy performance, she showed how cool and sassy she is in that performance 🥰
Your boys are so lucky to have you as their dad! 🫶 People so often perceive emotions and crying as weakness when in reality it takes a hell of a brave person to be that vulnerable in front of others!!! Shows how genuine you are and that’s what makes you and others willing to do the same so special!!! This is my first time hearing this song and I cried HARD right along with you! And my son is 23!! 😊🥹 Never apologize for who you are when you aren’t afraid to show your vulnerability!! ❤
@ 14 minutes in yes still watching with you, tears down my face and a migraine from ugly crying now 😭 This is her most important song. Thank you for taking the time to truly experience the song. It never gets easier listening to it 🫶
Luke, I can't tell you how may dozens upon dozens of times I've listened to this song, and I've never gotten through it without breaking down- it is just that kind of song, that Tay writes- beautiful and gut-wrenchingly tragic at the same time.
Thank you for reacting to this version with all the pics of Ronan. His smile and his eyes are priceless. The bare feet, toy cars and dinosaurs always get me and how he fought like a brave army guy 😢
This is a hard one for all of us, it’s such a sad story, for any parent that deals with this. I’m glad you said it’s important to listen to this though. RIP Ronan, you will never be forgotten.
You are never gross. You are an absolutely beautiful human being and soul. I cried with you from the intro through the whole song and I don’t even have kids and can’t really have kids due to medical issues…. Your channel has made me feel so less alone in how easily I feel my emotions. Thank you
That bridge. No matter how ok I try to be listening to this one I never make it through that bridge. Standing in the closet with the clothes he’d never grow into. I lose every time with that. Thank you. This one is so hard but thank you for your genuine and heartfelt reaction. This is always my favorite place for Taylor reactions! ❤
I’m right there with you, Luke. I still cry when I watch this. Ronan was so beautiful but he was loved and will never be forgotten. Maya and her husband had a baby girl a few years later and her middle name is Ronan. I thought that was such an amazing way for his sister to have his name. I’m so happy that Taylor made Maya the co-writer, she gets royalties for every listen to this song. Taylor has only performed this song twice. Once at a Stand Up To Cancer Event and the last was when Maya was in the crowd and Taylor had the audience clap for her strength and beauty of the blog that she shared with anyone who found it. Your boys know that they have the best dad, someone who they’ll always be able to count on, confide in and to make memories with. I hope you just have fun with your boys today and tomorrow and the next. It stays with you for a few days, tbh. You really reacted to this song a lovely and wonderful way. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open with us. I love that about you. Hugs to you and your 2 beautiful boys. ❤
This song used to hit me deep and I cry every time, but now that I'm a student nurse, and I have the perspective of what illness and loss can do to a family, it hits deeper and I cried the second that intro started. We lost my sister to a heart condition when she was 29, and I saw my parents go through the exact pain that any parent would. You don't have to be sorry for your tears or for your emotions; your love for your children is just so beautiful and you should be proud of yourself. The bond of love in a family is one thing that makes me smile on my journey of becoming a RN, and that's why I decided to eventually to switch from teaching to nursing last year, as the NHS needs more nurses, and my sister's loss became my fire.
It’s the way I have to do Ronan & the person reacting justice by watching this every. single. time I see a new one pop up recommended. As someone who was put on to Maya’s blog by Taylor back in the day, it never gets easier. Some days I just think about them so much I put my phone on silent and play the song on repeat for the babies still fighting, even if I can’t listen to it.
Taylor sang this live at a Stand Up to Cancer telethon and there are pictures of her sobbing after singing it live. She also sang it during the 1988 world tour because maya (his mom) was in the audience. She has nothing but respect and love for his mom and Ronan.
Oh Luke, please don’t apologise for your emotions. I think we’ve all had the same reaction to Ronan. I‘m not even a mother and I completely lost it when I heard Ronan for the first time. After the first „You were my best four years „ I cried just as much as you did. It broke my heart. Still can’t make it through Ronan without crying.
Its currently 2:38 AM where I am.... I have fallen down the rabbit hole that is your Taylor Swift reaction videos. And I'm trying to go in order but I saw you did this one and i had to skip ahead before going to sleep for the night. This song is my favorite song that Taylor Swift has ever written. It's such a hard listen. But it's worth it to keep Ronans memory alive. I have two girls. Ages two and four. The thought of losing either one of them just breaks me. I have a friend who's daughter (age 5) passed away very suddenly from DPIG (An inoperable brain tumor) back around the time this song came out. I grew up babysitting that little girl. And so every time I hear this song I sob. I've been with Taylor Swift since the beginning, but it was this song that solidified me being a Swiftie for life. Art that makes you feel something is truly magical. And what Taylor did for Ronans family by creating this song for them... Absolutely incredible. She's an amazing person. Anyone who says anything negative to say about her, I anyways tell them about this song.
In my culture, people have two deaths. Their first is here on Earth. The second is when their memory fades from everyone's minds. May Ronan never have that second death, because of what Taylor did for him.
This song gets me every time! As a single dad, I'm so lucky my two grew up with no medical issues. I don't know what I would have done if one became very sick. Now I have a 5 month old granddaughter with the bluest eyes. Now I think of her when I hear this song. When people tell me Taylor Swift can't sing or that she only sings songs for teenage girls, I tell them to watch the Ronan video. Every time, the response a few days later is "I had no idea how good she is!"
This is exactly how i listen to this song which is why it's one of her only skips for me, definitely her most equally heartbreaking and beautiful songs ever written. The really amazing thing about Taylor is that she didn't just reach out to the Thompson family for the song but actually stayed in touch with them for quite a while, they have been to every tour, and Tay even got to name Ronan's little sister Poppy. Ronan's mum talks about her a lot on her tiktok, and said in an interview that she agreed to the rerecording because she only trusts Ronan's story in the hands of Taylor not a greedy old man, and overall just praises the living daylights out of Taylor which is just another reason why us swifties adore Tay so so much.
This song is so heartbreaking to listen to as a parent. I don't know how anyone can listen to this and not bawl like a baby. Don't apologize for having feelings and sharing them. Everyone needs to hug their kids tight after listening to it.
I became a Taylor fan with folklore during the pandemic. Right when things were lifting, my daughter got sick with a rare illness, so rare that some doctors suggested my 8 year old was insane or faking it. In constant pain and unable to do much, she and I started watching music videos together. Taylor was her favorite. One day, I needed a distraction from the chaos of my life, and I decided to review her older albums and share my thoughts to my friends on Facebook. MY FRIENDS LET ME WALK INTO THIS SONG BLIND. Anyway, thanks for the cry. I needed my emotions unplugged. Just so you know, my daughter is about to turn 11 and has fully recovered after two years of gaslighting then finally treatment. She's about to have a birthday party, and she asked if she could invite Taylor Swift. Yes, baby. Anything you want.
Beautiful reaction and take on how we keep peoples memories alive. It is a rough one to watch especially as a parent but Ronan deserves to be remembered.
Luke, you're all of us with children watching this. Sobbing along with you. I have 3 girls, 11, 4 and 3. I cant even fathom the pain that Maya and her family went through. This song is so special because Ronan needs to be remembered, but it breaks everyones heart every single time 💔
Your reaction to the song and video were perfect. I’ve never cried so much listening to this song before, you helped me feel it deeper than usual. I volunteer with a small nonprofit called The gold Hope Project and we focus on helping families experiencing pediatric cancers get free photo shoots. My job is to read all of the applications that come in and get families matched up with local photographers. My heart breaks a dozen times a month reading about what our fighter families go through. And every time one our kids loses their fight, it’s like a punch in the gut and we all wish we could do more than just take pictures. This disease steals so much from so many people.
This song has always hit me hard. It’s so beautifully written on top of sharing this mother’s pain and loss. I knew this would be hard to watch. I cried just reading the title. It sounds like many of us did the same thing. We sat here and cried with you, staying with you till the very end. I hope somehow you felt that. I wasn’t able to have my own children, however I am lucky enough to have three of the most amazing nephews anyone could ask for. They are ages 6, 4, and 6 months. They are my world. My brother and sister in law even joke that I love their boys more than they do. Maybe so, I get to swoop in and bring them lovely presents. Play and have fun with them. Then I get to leave before anyone gets too cranky or bad. I get to see them at their best. I figure since I almost raised my little brother myself (and boy was he a hard child!) I deserve to get all the fun parts now. I am also so proud at what a WONDERFUL father my brother has become. I was worried because we didn’t have a decent loving father figure in our lives. I probably tell them a million times every time I’m with them, how much I love them. I never want them to go a moment in their lives thinking they aren’t loved. I love that you are so honest about your feelings, and you’re not afraid to show the world. That is such an important lesson everyone, but especially for your boys. Just from the bits you’ve shared, how you speak about your children…You also sound like you are an AMAZING father. You are right this was important for you to cover. It important that we all listen to this song. It’s important that we all remember Ronan…for him, for his Mother, for his family, for other families that have/ are affected by the same thing, for the charity, and for all of us to realize this can happen to any of us. We need to remember to show more love to each other, and tell each other how much we love each other always. ❤ This was such an important reaction for you to do Luke. You did truly amazing. Handled with such care and love. I think I need to move up a Patreon tier or maybe you could have a small fund started to keep your studio supplied with Kleenex. 😢🫣😪🤧
I know this is a tough song for everyone, but one of the most important things we can do for someone who is no longer with us, i simply to remember them.
Taylor wrote this song for Ronan, I want to make sure I listen to it for him as well ❤
Time for a good cry Swifties 💜
Just wanted to pop in to say, please forgive those who initially typed out reactions of distress to find that you've reacted to this! Some folks can't watch, and your call for avoiding those is near to 11 minutes in, I PROMISE those folks are not trying to 'disobey' or disrespect. I would have stopped you if I could but it's done, and your reactions are valid, as horrid as the understanding of what's happened is. Love ya, Luke, please don't be disappointed at the number of those comments, I promise they're not meant rudely!
You're a dad just like I am... we get it if we have hearts... I'd be teaching Jordan to drive and likely ride motorcycles lol... your empathy is exemplary... these boys are gone but loved and remembered!! And my girls... oh lawd!
Hankies?
You’re right you know. In watching this video and listening to this song you are bearing witness to the joy and beauty and love as well as the pain and suffering of Ronan’s short life. When someone you love dies all you want (besides wanting them back) is for people to not forget them. A friend of mine died in a car accident when we were both 16 and I’m 45 now and I’ve tried to check in with his mom here and there to let her know when I’m thinking about Henry. She always says she’s so glad I haven’t forgotten about him. I wish Ronan were still here but his mother must feel such gratitude that her sweet boy will never be forgotten.
“We are nothing but memories” is true and thanks to Taylor, Ronan will never be forgotten 🕊️ Reminds me of the saying “everyone dies twice, the 1st time when they bury you and the 2nd time when someone says your name for the last time” Helps us to remember to make good memories with the ones we love, tomorrow is never promised 💔🫶
“At the end of the day, we are nothing but memories” Dang, that hits different.
I've always said it and never once thought of it as a bad thing.
Which is why I will always listen to a story anyone wants to tell ❤
He has also just reacted to Perfume of the Timeless by Nightwish - this puts the past, present & future into perspective.
She’s only played this song twice live. Once at a Stand Up To Cancer and once at her 1989 tour when Maya Thompson was in attendance. Even she cries during these performances
I can imagine it is an incredibly difficult one to perform live ❤
I just happened to have flipped to the channel that was airing the Stand Up to Cancer benefit that day, and I saw her perform this whole song live. It destroyed me and I figured everyone would be talking about it online after, but I never did hear much about it. I couldn't believe it. It amazes me that someone who doesn't have children can write a song like "Ronan." It's not that people without children couldn't empathize with the situation, but when you're a parent, it just hits different (as TS says). Somehow, she managed to capture that love in a song. You can't write a song like this and not be a wonderful, caring person. You'll never convince me otherwise.
I appreciate that she doesn't play/promo this song often, and demonstrates a level for reverance for it. Only playing it when it's appropriate to do so. It so easily could be used to as a sympathy and/or cash grab.
Oh Luke! Please do some self care after listening. This is one of Taylor's most BEAUTIFUL songs and you're right! It needs to be listened to. I feel like every time it's listened to Ronan is remembered. THANK YOU for listening. There is a live version where Taylor played this for the first time at a Stand Up to Cancer fundraiser. Check that out on your own if you so wish. By the way, I sat with you the whole time. You weren't alone.
I also stayed to the end and cried right along with y'all 🫶
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This is one of the sweetest comments I’ve ever seen
I was amazed Taylor kept her eyes dry live (I imagine she was determined not to make it about herself). I heard she did lose it back stage
Absolutely Luke, you were not alone during this listen ❤❤
Reacting to this live sounds like a tough one as well but I'm sure one day we will ❤️
I saw an interview with the parents, where they told, that Taylor asked them, if they wanted to have this song on the Re-Records or not. Because, you know, maybe they wanted to close this chapter of their life forever and not be reminded. But of course they gave permission and wanted the song to be there, so that - just as you said - the memory lives on and therefore in a way Ronan does. 💔 They said, Taylor was as nice about this as you can be.
He would’ve been 16 when the re-record came out ❤
You don’t look a mess…
You look like an empathetic, wonderful father who loves deeply and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable on the internet.
That is the opposite of a mess. That’s beautiful.
I have never listened to this song without crying. I hope I never do. God forbid my heart ever grow that desensitized.
Thank you for reacting to this, despite the struggle. All proceeds from any stream of this song goes to the charity set up in Ronan’s name, so some good comes from this tragedy. Let’s hope with research and time, there are fewer stories like Ronan’s.
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This is my go to song when people say that Taylor can’t sing, has no talent, is fake, doesn’t care about anyone but herself, etc. 💔😭💔🙏🥰
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, she didn’t have to make this, she WANTED to as a gift for Ronan’s loved ones.
She even listed his mom as co-writer and the proceeds go towards his family and his charity for the kids whose lives are cruelly destroyed by childhood cancers.
No need to apologize for getting super emotional with this song friend. I have been listening to this for over a decade and I can’t get through it without crying. Ronan was a beautiful kid and it’s not fair he didn’t get a full life. That is certainly worth a few tears.
As he said we listen to remember, and we shouldnt apologize for our feelings ...we are here and feelings are what life and love is all about. 🫶
“The breath, ohhh the breath, ah man this song is beautiful it’s fuckin awful” that’s a hell of an accurate sentence lol
Oh yea the breath gets me
Her breath there said everything 💯
@@GOTGamesHer breath hits hard, but the voice from original song (not the re-record) that shaking in every words hits harder. imo
@@suqpobean or the live version on Stand Up To Cancer. I have no idea how she held it together with this song. 🥹🥹🥹
@@SwiftieXinfinity She actually sang it live one other time during the 1989 tour when Mama Maya was in attendance. I do believe that those are the only 2 times she has sang it live though.
God damn as soon as i saw the title i knew we were gonna go through it, let's go, everybody hold hands
I started crying the moment I saw the title. But honestly I needed this absolute bawl of a cry. Such a tragic yet breathtakingly beautiful song.
@@sarahmckee3914right? It's too much, but also very much necessary.
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Oh, Luke🫶 As a mother, I had never allowed myself to listen to this song. I just didn’t see a need. Like, why intentionally hurt myself, you know? But your point in the beginning of the video (and throughout as well) that this song keeps Ronan’s memory alive, got me to listen to it along with you today…..and sob, of course. Thank you for being such a light in this community🫶
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Not only are you the best reactor for this song, you’re the best Swiftie reactor on the internet. Your heart is just as big as the rest of us Swifties!!!
You're all way too sweet ❤
Everyone needs to play this often. You can go outside or something but let it play. That is how his mother gets money from the royalties. I try to listen at least once a month.Please do it for his mother and her charity, and Ronan memory as Luke said.
I think the money goes straight to her charity right?!!
I play this song very often, not only for the royalties going to the charity but because it is such a beautiful song and it makes me feel .
Oh our Luke. 🥺I just want to give you a hug. It’s a tough listen. Ronan deserves to have his story told as beautifully as Taylor sings it. 🩵
Each new person who hears it, carries his name on ❤️
I can’t imagine it either. To lose a child at such a young age with such a horrible disease must be devastating and heartbreaking for any parent to experience. Thank you Taylor for leaving Ronan’s family with an amazing song to memorialize their beautiful son. Love to Luke for having an emotional heart and an unending love for his own two boys. ❤❤❤
It’s unfair to die before your children. It will morph your life bless😊
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As a father of two little ones, you need to so this despite your sensitivity. It does need to be heard because Ronan lived. He was real. His mom is real. Their story matters. Thank you.
So true ❤
Thank you, Luke. Reactors are all humans, but not all reactors understand their humanity like you do. 💙💙💙
You are very kind! ❤️
You put that so well. ❤
Oh Luke! Thank you so much for reacting to this with your beautiful soul.
My son died as a baby and left behind my youngest (his twin) and my oldest son and daughter. So many run and hide from this song which I totally understand, but as a loss parent, I appreciate so much that you didn't. We often feel no one wants to remember our babies because people generally shy away from pain. Even the idea of it. My husband's family won't even say my son's name 8 years later. They don't count him when they say how many grandkids they have. To them, he died so he never existed.
His twin and I share the illness that took him and could potentially go from complications at any time (though we are currently as stable as we can get with treatment). It's our reality every day. Feeling like people have forgotten or choose not to remember is horrible. Sometimes I bring him up and people instantly look away and change the subject. No one remembers him like my husband and I do. And my sweet little guy who misses his twin every day. So again, as a loss mom, thank you for choosing to do this even though it hurt. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. If you feel up to sharing his name with us, please do so that this community can remember him 🫶❤️ sending so much love to you
@@marym1093That is so nice! Thank you so much! His name is Samuel. ❤️
I'm sorry to hear that people don't want to remember, I know the pain can be easier to ignore then deal with for some.
All I can do is pass on the lessons to my son's that it is important to remember ❤️
@@GOTGames Thank you so much! And you're absolutely right. Sometimes all we can do is pass on what we've learned. My kids know it's good to talk about anyone we love and miss. That it's healthy to remember. They're proud of their brother. And that's a good start for future generations. I have no doubt your children will be kind and empathetic like you. ❤️
@@lonesapphire
Rest in Peace Samuel. 🫶
Please don't ever apologize for being so genuine with your emotions ❤ your authenticity is what keeps me coming back to your channel. I watched all the way through because I didn't want you to watch it alone ❤
You lot are too much 🥹❤️❤️❤️
Ok, we made it through. You're so right. I lost my grandpa last month, and I was thinking about not going to the funeral, I didn't want to see him like that, but I decided to go and I spent the day with a ton of people who knew him, even from before I was born. Talking to them and hearing their stories about him restored the image I had of him in my heart, strong and proud, not sick and constantly in bed. We truly are the memories we leave behind.
Hugs to you 🫶
Thank you ♡♡♡ @@AnjeannetteMarie
Sorry to hear about your loss, hearing those stories helps us all live on through someone else, I like to believe ❤
@@GOTGamesI think that's why the 'when they point to the pictures, please, tell'em my name' line in Long Live gets me so much (and why I cried so hard watching Disney's Coco). To have touched someone's life so deeply that they tell stories about you after you're gone is so special.
I wanted you to react to this song for this exact reason. Not to see you broken or crying, but to watch someone who could appreciate the song and truly feel it. For someone who would take a piece of Ronan with him moving forward. Every time someone watches this or listens to this song, they are getting to know that little boy and they are sending funds to the Ronan Foundation so that maybe one day no other parent has to go through this loss. You are the best reactor for this video because of your authentic emotions. Please don't apologize for those emotions ever. They are the part of you that allow you to love and express your love for your boys so freely.
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Taylor performed this at a cancer fundraising event and she was very obviously struggling but she held it together. But there are paparazzi photos of her leaving out the back door after singing and she is absolutely sobbing. If you ever feel up to it and are interested, maybe watch that performance just on your own time, not as a reaction necessarily but just to see it. I understand if you choose not to though. I also have two sons, and both of them have had very serious health issues so I tend to avoid this song, but I listen every so often to honor little Ronan. Thank you for your vulnerability Luke. 🫶🏼
Thank you for being you, Luke. ❤️ We all knew-because we cried too…and still do. It’s a beautifully crafted song. Now go listen to it in private and sob as much as you want…Hugs.
Your boys are so lucky to have you, Luke. Your emotions are beautiful, thank you for not being afraid to hide them from us.
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My knee jerk reaction when the notification popped up: OMG why would you do this to yourself!?
But you are correct, keep his memory alive ❤
Me too....
I thought the same
I said “oh no 😬” out loud when I saw it pop up.
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I literally asked myself who was cruel enough to suggest this
When I get to heaven I’m going to hug Ronan so hard. And I’m going to tell him he was never EVER forgotten. And he was SO loved by so MANY people
I've actually never listened to this song because I knew it would be hard. I always just skip over it. So I thought hey let's watch it together... I just paused at 6mins to come say I'm crying right there with you friend. This is a tough one lyrically but it's the pictures that go with that's breaking my heart even more. 💙
same!! everyone said they cried to this song so I just never wanted to listen to it and I decided to watch this video and listen with him and i’m fully bawling my eyes out 😭
@@itssmehailey💔🫶
Me to. I knew it would be too hard so I avoided it. But I’m here and I’ll ride it out with him and cry with him. I recently lost my nephew at 1. Turned out to be a heart defect. No one could have done anything but that’s all you tell yourself, what could I have done?
1000%
Glad a few of you went through this with me for the first time, makes it feel special ❤️
A person would have to have a heart of stone to not cry listening to this. Don’t ever apologize or feel bad that you have a sensitive heart. It’s beautiful. You’re a great dad and you’re showing your boys how to be compassionate men. Never change.
Ya did a great job with lovely, kind commentary.
I started crying before you pressed play.
I got 3 kids of my own. Proud dad. My oldest graduates from HS tomorrow. She only wants to take care of people, esp. kids so she plans on going into pediatric medicine. (I'd call that success as a father! God willing).
Maybe she can help some future child like Ronan.
My other two kids are much younger blondes with blue eyes. It's a joy to watch them grow and change.
This song hits hard.
When I saw this notification come up all I could say was alright its time to sit and cry with Luke.
This song is beautiful and listening to it is the best way to continue to remember this little man.
I remember saying to myself a few months ago “please don’t do Ronan.” I knew it would wreck you as it did me. I didn’t want you to feel what I felt watching it, but this child existed and was truly loved. He needs to be honored. I have one child, a son and Thank God everyday for him. I lost 7 people in the last 2 years, one was the LOML. It will never be something easy to deal with and especially a child. I still cry each day. There are no words. I’m watching you and understand your tears. ❤
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Oh my god oh my god oh my god
I can’t believe you’re actually doing this one. It’s one of my favorite songs but it’s SO hard to get through ❤
I also feel like this is one of the most surprisingly morbid songs she’s written, for a song that only used the word “died” once. There’s just this sense of dread about the whole thing.
You don’t have to apologize for your tears. I tear up every time I hear this song, and I never had children. You are a good man, and I’m sure that you are a wonderful husband and father. Be well, be happy. 😢❤
You made it through what I believe is her saddest song released. It's a double whammy of intense sadness for this family and also just seeing my son and knowing it can happen to any beautiful kid, it doesn't judge by how wonderful they are. I am now going to go give my 6 year old a HUGE hug 🫶
That’s the kicker, isn’t it? We like to imagine it will never happen to us, that somehow we can keep our loved ones safe, but as the saying goes, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” (Whether you think of it as God, chance, or the culmination of factors outside our control, the gist is the same). Listening to “Ronan” reminds us that life isn’t fair and terrible things happen to even the most innocent, and it’s only natural to want to shy away from that…but it also reminds us to never take what we have for granted, for you to give your son a huge hug, for me to call the friends I’ve been meaning to catch up with, to make sure the people we love know that we love them. I think we all need that reminder now and again. Even if it’s hard to hear, it’s an important message and a beautiful legacy.
OH NOOOOO! I was hoping you wouldn't have to go through the pain of listening to this song for the first time. I can't listen to it without crying. Though great reaction!
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A few reactions ago ....you said that you remembered a time you wouldn't cry at anything...then you said that you didn't miss that version of yourself....never apologize for feeling...for crying ...because to feel ..to cry for others ..ourselves...is a gift ...hugs
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I am one of your followers who voiced that this was one for you to avoid for the reasons you listed, but I am glad you did, and the reasons you mentioned why you chose to do so were beautiful. This is beyond rough, but I watched the whole thing with you, with a pounding heart, shaking hands and tears streaming down my face. Thank you for choosing to watch, listen and respect the song and for the memory of Ronan 🫶
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Taylor is so empathetic! It's incredible how she can emote and write like she was actually his Mom! Luke you are such a good human and I know for a fact that as soon as this was done you went down and cuddled your boys! Beautiful sentiments about losing those you love. Brightest Blessings friend..
PS- I've heard this song countless times and I have never been able to hear it without crying!
Your heart is so transparent…thank you for this raw, honest reaction. Stayed with you the whole time.
Your reaction is the only true one to this Ronan Tribute. ❤
Never apologize for your looking while being an honest man!
We love you ❤ best wishes from Germany 🤍
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Don't apologize for having an open heart and the willingness to let others experience your emotions. We are right there with you.
This is honoring a real person who will never get to make his mark on the world.
Taylor, and you also, have made sure that Ronan's life will be known and remembered.
Every time I watch someone react to Ronan I tell myself this will be the one time that I don’t cry…I always lose
I’m glad you listened to this song because Ronan’s family deserve all the love and prayers that come with listening. And we’re here with you feeling the pain as well so we’re all in it together. ❤
Luke, sending you the largest virtual hug possible ❤❤❤❤
lost my mom in october last year to cancer, and it is never goodbye, it is 'Until we meet again.' Ill see her again, one day. Just cause i cannot see her, does not mean she isnt around. And when i die? I only want them to realise one thing. I tried.
it coukd even be today🌹.
Much love to you!! You sound like such a strong soul ❤
I don't know how she could get through this beautiful song without her voice breaking. She's just so very good, on so many levels. I hadn't listened to this before because I knew I would cry - and I am. Your reaction is exactly what I expected. You're a good man.
Taylor’s discography is full of some of the best songs ever written/ made. She has won MANY awards for them. She has a few songs that have always stood out to me. These songs are emotionally devastating and sincere.
Marjorie (about losing her maternal Grandmother)
Ronan (about Ronan, a young boy taken too soon from cancer)
Soon You’ll Get Better (about her parent’s struggles with cancer)
Epiphany (about her paternal Grandfather’s time in WWII)
Bigger Than The Whole Sky (she has never come out and said who or what this song is about. Fans have speculated that the song is talking about the grief of a miscarriage. However, she did preform this song live for the first time at the Rio de Janerio leg of “The Eras Tour”, dedicating it to Ana Clara Benavides. Whom died at the previous concert due to cardiac arrest from heat exhaustion).
These are heartbreaking songs, yet beautifully made with extreme care and love.
My kids are grown. The worst day of my life was sitting in a hospital room as my son and daughter in law held their newborn son. The beautiful baby boy who would make them a family. But it was may 27, 2017 and he wasn't due until september. They held him close as his tiny heart beat for the first and last time.
Watching my son's heart break into a million pieces, left me shattered. Xander Bennett was born May 9, 2018 and Rae Catharine on july 16, 2020. On may 27th every year they light a candle for Kade Bennett, the missing piece in their jigsaw puzzle of life. Thank you for your honesty
Luke, the amount of love you show for your boys has honestly helped heal some old wounds for me. Your willingness to be vulnerable and show emotion helps me believe there are good men and caring fathers out there. Thank you for all you do 💛
You're very kind ❤️ Hopefully I can raise two more who share those beliefs as well ❤️
I love how you appreciate every Taylor song. You are awesome!!! Don't ever question yourself if people enjoyed your reaction, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! And the appreciation you have for Taylor ❤❤❤
My kiddo is 20 and this song still crushes me. I can't imagine the pain. I hope you do what I did after I first heard it. Having watched many of your reactions, I know you will. Go hug those boys tight. As tough as this song is, it's a beautiful reminder that life is short. When it came out, I hugged my daughter and didn't want to let go. And, she understood as a fellow Swiftie.
I cried right along with you, Luke! Ronan is such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful little boy. As heartbreaking as this song is, it is important as it helps keep Ronan’s memory alive! He is loved by so many! ❤️
Your reaction to this makes it even more beautiful. It’s raw and real and you didn’t cover it up Or turn off the camera…
Our world during these times has gotten so callused because there is so much pain and heartache so we turn away for our own sanity and survival. It’s heartbreaking but also beautiful to see your compassion and empathy for this mother and child. Complete strangers but in just those few minutes you let them into your heart and i am so glad you shared it with us 😢❤ 🥰
The best reaction to this song was to feel it and let the music and lyrics speak for themselves
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You definitely do not need to apologize for letting yourself be vulnerable with all of us.
I’m so glad you did react to this song. Taylor wrote this song by herself but credited Maya due to her blog, and Maya gets royalties every time someone listens to it ❤
I’m a swiftie since 2012 (since RED og was released) and I remember the day this song was released. I read about it before listening to it and I wasn’t really prepared for the emotional impact it would cause.
I didn’t need to have a son to feel the empathy for Ronan’s family and today I can’t still imagine how hard is for someone to lose a child. Now that I’m an uncle I just hope my nephew has everything he needs and I pray every day for him to be happy and healthy, with his parents by his side as long as possible.
Thank you for your most sincere reaction and NEVER apologize for showing the humanity in you.
I was there crying with you Luke for all 24 minutes, and I'm 66 year old dad of 2 boys. It's a sad song, and the bridge is brutal. I applaud your efforts to lighten it for yourself. As you know from the editing, you look OK m8. Children change your whole complexion on life. Luke, you've done Ronan, time to move on. How about "Soon You'll Get Better" which Taylor wrote after she heard Andrea, her mother had been given a cancer diagnosis. (The One World: Together at Home version)
Then watch The Best Day right after as a pick me up. You'll likely still cry as it's emotional but it'll be for a different reason. ❤
I would love for him to hear “Soon You’ll Get Better. I was 29 when I lost my mom- my best friend, to cancer. This song came out right after her passing, and although it broke my heart to remember things more clearly each time, I was also comforted because I had second guessed my approach. I kept wondering if I should’ve been realistic and talked to her about her wishes. It all happened so fast in the end it was too late. I felt guilty about telling her she’d beat it and changing course if she said otherwise. I thought being positive could give her hope enough to gain strength in her fight. Taylor showed me in this song that it’s a natural reaction, even if sometimes it’s delusional- just to try to brighten that person’s worst time the tiny bit you can. “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” also hits me even though I’m not sure the context this was written in, because it applies to my feelings too. That’s why Taylor is so lovable. She covers our emotions on every end of the spectrum and is relatable to everyone.
@@JonJon-dx3up So sory for your loss. Luke, sometimes it's better to tackle the HEAVY emotional songs so you can return to the "frivolous" songs to lighten your mood. Get them all over and done with is my advice, Luke. I doubt any will really hit much harder than Ronan due to the ages of your sons, but as JonJon has said "Soon You’ll Get Better" had a personal resonance with him.
I don’t even have kids and I cry every time I hear this song.
Same for me ❤
Oh no here we go,get the tissues ready,,,,rip little man,fly high with the angels..💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
Not a Swiftie, but not a hater either. I never heard this song before, but damnit if I'm not crying along with you, Luke, while holding my dog. Beautiful song, beautiful tribute. ❤ Hugs!
Oh god I did not think you were gonna listen to this anytime soon. It is a painfully beautiful song and I cannot listen to it without crying, so I cried with you this time. Take care Luke 💕
I didn’t want to fully skip a Taylor video, so I skimmed and kept the volume down 😢 As soon as you said three year old I knew I couldn’t listen. I’ve always avoided this song, I haven’t listened to it all the way through. I have a 3.5 year old who’s my world and I just haven’t been able to do it. I lost my mom to cancer and I can’t imagine the two worlds colliding. You made it through Luke!
We're here luke,don't apologise we all had the same reaction to this little man,,I have a son an daughter in their 30s now an I cant imagine this mama's heartache,god bless her heart..💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
Don’t worry Luke, we stayed with you the whole time.
The very first swift video you did… I was there, saying how crushed you would be listening to Ronan. Then later I learned you had young boys and I said, maybe don’t do that yet, Luke.
You’re a brave soul, my man. And I’m sure it will inspire you to value the hugs, the noise, the toys, really your boys’ souls that much more. You’ve been gifted the ultimate enrichment by Taylor.
So proud of you, my swiftie friend.
You are right you are the perfect person to react to this song. I love that you made it about remembering that precious little boy.
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Luke, your words perfectly summed up why I always refuse to skip this song or any reaction video to it I come across here on YT. It’s incredibly painful every time, but Maya is the one who had to live through the reality - not us - and Maya & her family are the ones who still live daily with the grief. The very least I can do is help keep Ronan’s legacy alive by supporting this song; letting this song remind me time and again of who Ronan was, how deeply Maya loved him, and how beautiful & brave she was to share his (their) story with the world. I make friendship bracelets with Ronan’s name on them because even though I know Swifties instantly get sad when they see it I think it’s so important to help keep his name & memory alive by including him in this beautiful ritual we have of the bracelets. I wanted Swifties to literally be out in the world walking around with his name in their wrists, a daily reminder of this beautiful boy. Because, as you said, this song is horribly painful to experience but it’s NOTHING compared to what Maya & their family experienced - if they can live through it, bravely share it and pick at those scars again and again over the years to continue talking about him + having Swifties regularly contact them on socials to give love and condolences and other such things all because it brings them JOY and PEACE to know he’s not being forgotten… then, yes, the absolute least you and I (and everyone) can do is have the respect to listen to this song, memorialize this story in our own hearts, and help to keep Ronan’s legacy going strong despite how difficult it feels every single time we play this song. For all of these reasons and more, Luke, I want to thank you for not just insisting on reacting to this despite knowing how hard it would be for you but also thank you for the many levels of emotional wisdom & respect you brought to this by acknowledging WHY it’s necessary for us no matter how painful. Our pain in knowing / remembering Ronan through this song will never begin to compare with the pain felt my the Thompson family, and I agree with you 100% that it would be disrespectful NOT to listen to this song simply because we know it’s going to hurt our hearts. Thank you, Luke, for always being so authentically emotional and for allowing Ronan’s beautiful blue eyes to be burned into your memory from this day onwards ❤🩵❤️🩹
I saw this live when she first performed this song and it was gut wrenching and every time I’ve seen it since , it’s even more gut wrenching! 😢 Taylor really did capture Ronan and somehow put her magic to work with her music, vocals and lyrics with help from his Mama. ❤
I can't believe you listened and watched this and I can't believe I watched this with you. I never listen to this song, its just too heartbreaking for me. But you did a great job reacting to it, I'm proud of you for going through it.
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Dude... you have nothing to apologize for. I'm a 55 year old man and this song makes me cry. Taylor is awesome and I know Maya loves her. Taylor can't perform this song without crying so we're in good company.
Loved your reaction, cried with you through the video. 💔 You could do the grammy performance of "mean" for next tuesday, perhaps in combination with i bet you think about me or the music video of mean. But definetely the grammy performance, she showed how cool and sassy she is in that performance 🥰
Your boys are so lucky to have you as their dad! 🫶 People so often perceive emotions and crying as weakness when in reality it takes a hell of a brave person to be that vulnerable in front of others!!! Shows how genuine you are and that’s what makes you and others willing to do the same so special!!! This is my first time hearing this song and I cried HARD right along with you! And my son is 23!! 😊🥹 Never apologize for who you are when you aren’t afraid to show your vulnerability!! ❤
@ 14 minutes in yes still watching with you, tears down my face and a migraine from ugly crying now 😭 This is her most important song. Thank you for taking the time to truly experience the song. It never gets easier listening to it 🫶
Luke, I can't tell you how may dozens upon dozens of times I've listened to this song, and I've never gotten through it without breaking down- it is just that kind of song, that Tay writes- beautiful and gut-wrenchingly tragic at the same time.
Thank you for reacting to this version with all the pics of Ronan. His smile and his eyes are priceless. The bare feet, toy cars and dinosaurs always get me and how he fought like a brave army guy 😢
This is a hard one for all of us, it’s such a sad story, for any parent that deals with this. I’m glad you said it’s important to listen to this though. RIP Ronan, you will never be forgotten.
You are never gross. You are an absolutely beautiful human being and soul. I cried with you from the intro through the whole song and I don’t even have kids and can’t really have kids due to medical issues…. Your channel has made me feel so less alone in how easily I feel my emotions. Thank you
That bridge. No matter how ok I try to be listening to this one I never make it through that bridge. Standing in the closet with the clothes he’d never grow into. I lose every time with that.
Thank you. This one is so hard but thank you for your genuine and heartfelt reaction. This is always my favorite place for Taylor reactions! ❤
I’m right there with you, Luke. I still cry when I watch this. Ronan was so beautiful but he was loved and will never be forgotten. Maya and her husband had a baby girl a few years later and her middle name is Ronan. I thought that was such an amazing way for his sister to have his name. I’m so happy that Taylor made Maya the co-writer, she gets royalties for every listen to this song. Taylor has only performed this song twice. Once at a Stand Up To Cancer Event and the last was when Maya was in the crowd and Taylor had the audience clap for her strength and beauty of the blog that she shared with anyone who found it.
Your boys know that they have the best dad, someone who they’ll always be able to count on, confide in and to make memories with. I hope you just have fun with your boys today and tomorrow and the next. It stays with you for a few days, tbh. You really reacted to this song a lovely and wonderful way. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open with us. I love that about you. Hugs to you and your 2 beautiful boys. ❤
You are the loveliest man. It was an honor to cry along with you for Ronan. Swiftie hug ❤
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This song used to hit me deep and I cry every time, but now that I'm a student nurse, and I have the perspective of what illness and loss can do to a family, it hits deeper and I cried the second that intro started. We lost my sister to a heart condition when she was 29, and I saw my parents go through the exact pain that any parent would. You don't have to be sorry for your tears or for your emotions; your love for your children is just so beautiful and you should be proud of yourself. The bond of love in a family is one thing that makes me smile on my journey of becoming a RN, and that's why I decided to eventually to switch from teaching to nursing last year, as the NHS needs more nurses, and my sister's loss became my fire.
I’m glad you took the time to listen even though it’s painful. It always makes me extra appreciate my son.
We’re all crying you Luke. This song is heart shattering but also so beautiful. You don’t have to apologize, as a parent this song obliterates me.
It’s the way I have to do Ronan & the person reacting justice by watching this every. single. time I see a new one pop up recommended. As someone who was put on to Maya’s blog by Taylor back in the day, it never gets easier. Some days I just think about them so much I put my phone on silent and play the song on repeat for the babies still fighting, even if I can’t listen to it.
Taylor sang this live at a Stand Up to Cancer telethon and there are pictures of her sobbing after singing it live. She also sang it during the 1988 world tour because maya (his mom) was in the audience. She has nothing but respect and love for his mom and Ronan.
Oh Luke, please don’t apologise for your emotions. I think we’ve all had the same reaction to Ronan. I‘m not even a mother and I completely lost it when I heard Ronan for the first time. After the first „You were my best four years „ I cried just as much as you did. It broke my heart. Still can’t make it through Ronan without crying.
Its currently 2:38 AM where I am.... I have fallen down the rabbit hole that is your Taylor Swift reaction videos. And I'm trying to go in order but I saw you did this one and i had to skip ahead before going to sleep for the night.
This song is my favorite song that Taylor Swift has ever written. It's such a hard listen. But it's worth it to keep Ronans memory alive.
I have two girls. Ages two and four. The thought of losing either one of them just breaks me. I have a friend who's daughter (age 5) passed away very suddenly from DPIG (An inoperable brain tumor) back around the time this song came out. I grew up babysitting that little girl. And so every time I hear this song I sob.
I've been with Taylor Swift since the beginning, but it was this song that solidified me being a Swiftie for life.
Art that makes you feel something is truly magical. And what Taylor did for Ronans family by creating this song for them... Absolutely incredible. She's an amazing person. Anyone who says anything negative to say about her, I anyways tell them about this song.
In my culture, people have two deaths. Their first is here on Earth. The second is when their memory fades from everyone's minds.
May Ronan never have that second death, because of what Taylor did for him.
Also, thank you for taking the breaks to talk. I really needed them.
This song gets me every time! As a single dad, I'm so lucky my two grew up with no medical issues. I don't know what I would have done if one became very sick. Now I have a 5 month old granddaughter with the bluest eyes. Now I think of her when I hear this song.
When people tell me Taylor Swift can't sing or that she only sings songs for teenage girls, I tell them to watch the Ronan video. Every time, the response a few days later is "I had no idea how good she is!"
This is exactly how i listen to this song which is why it's one of her only skips for me, definitely her most equally heartbreaking and beautiful songs ever written. The really amazing thing about Taylor is that she didn't just reach out to the Thompson family for the song but actually stayed in touch with them for quite a while, they have been to every tour, and Tay even got to name Ronan's little sister Poppy. Ronan's mum talks about her a lot on her tiktok, and said in an interview that she agreed to the rerecording because she only trusts Ronan's story in the hands of Taylor not a greedy old man, and overall just praises the living daylights out of Taylor which is just another reason why us swifties adore Tay so so much.
This song is so heartbreaking to listen to as a parent. I don't know how anyone can listen to this and not bawl like a baby. Don't apologize for having feelings and sharing them. Everyone needs to hug their kids tight after listening to it.
I became a Taylor fan with folklore during the pandemic. Right when things were lifting, my daughter got sick with a rare illness, so rare that some doctors suggested my 8 year old was insane or faking it. In constant pain and unable to do much, she and I started watching music videos together. Taylor was her favorite. One day, I needed a distraction from the chaos of my life, and I decided to review her older albums and share my thoughts to my friends on Facebook. MY FRIENDS LET ME WALK INTO THIS SONG BLIND. Anyway, thanks for the cry. I needed my emotions unplugged. Just so you know, my daughter is about to turn 11 and has fully recovered after two years of gaslighting then finally treatment. She's about to have a birthday party, and she asked if she could invite Taylor Swift. Yes, baby. Anything you want.
Beautiful reaction and take on how we keep peoples memories alive. It is a rough one to watch especially as a parent but Ronan deserves to be remembered.
Nobody left you Luke. We are all right beside you and hanging on together 🥰
Luke, you're all of us with children watching this. Sobbing along with you. I have 3 girls, 11, 4 and 3. I cant even fathom the pain that Maya and her family went through. This song is so special because Ronan needs to be remembered, but it breaks everyones heart every single time 💔
You have to do "soon you'll get better" from Lover album
Your reaction to the song and video were perfect. I’ve never cried so much listening to this song before, you helped me feel it deeper than usual.
I volunteer with a small nonprofit called The gold Hope Project and we focus on helping families experiencing pediatric cancers get free photo shoots. My job is to read all of the applications that come in and get families matched up with local photographers. My heart breaks a dozen times a month reading about what our fighter families go through. And every time one our kids loses their fight, it’s like a punch in the gut and we all wish we could do more than just take pictures. This disease steals so much from so many people.
This song has always hit me hard. It’s so beautifully written on top of sharing this mother’s pain and loss.
I knew this would be hard to watch. I cried just reading the title.
It sounds like many of us did the same thing. We sat here and cried with you, staying with you till the very end. I hope somehow you felt that.
I wasn’t able to have my own children, however I am lucky enough to have three of the most amazing nephews anyone could ask for. They are ages 6, 4, and 6 months. They are my world. My brother and sister in law even joke that I love their boys more than they do. Maybe so, I get to swoop in and bring them lovely presents. Play and have fun with them. Then I get to leave before anyone gets too cranky or bad. I get to see them at their best. I figure since I almost raised my little brother myself (and boy was he a hard child!) I deserve to get all the fun parts now. I am also so proud at what a WONDERFUL father my brother has become. I was worried because we didn’t have a decent loving father figure in our lives. I probably tell them a million times every time I’m with them, how much I love them. I never want them to go a moment in their lives thinking they aren’t loved.
I love that you are so honest about your feelings, and you’re not afraid to show the world. That is such an important lesson everyone, but especially for your boys. Just from the bits you’ve shared, how you speak about your children…You also sound like you are an AMAZING father.
You are right this was important for you to cover. It important that we all listen to this song. It’s important that we all remember Ronan…for him, for his Mother, for his family, for other families that have/ are affected by the same thing, for the charity, and for all of us to realize this can happen to any of us.
We need to remember to show more love to each other, and tell each other how much we love each other always. ❤
This was such an important reaction for you to do Luke. You did truly amazing. Handled with such care and love.
I think I need to move up a Patreon tier or maybe you could have a small fund started to keep your studio supplied with Kleenex. 😢🫣😪🤧
I'm balling right there with you!! 😭😭 Beautiful song!
His beautiful blue eyes. Just crushing. Good job, Luke. You’re a good dad. 💙
This song is so beautifully devastating i literally sobbed through the whole video with you
Your perspective was so beautiful, thank you for being who you are! ❤❤