Now that the entire world has gone digital, VHS tapes feel like an old relic from another time. But for the few holdouts who still own a VCR, there’s something magical about their rustic quality, the way you have to lift the lid and blow on the tape before enjoying watching the machine eat it, and the way the grainy footage crackles like a small fire.

These days, no one makes VHS players anymore, and they can only be purchased on eBay. Which is likely why this heartwarming letter from an older gentleman on how much his VCR means to him is currently going viral.

The 86-year-old shared that he had recently found several VHS tapes and wanted to see what was on them when he realized he had no device to play them on. So he went on eBay and found a fair offer, and wrote the seller a beautiful letter about all of the wonderful memories it gave him once he remembered how to work it.

“I watched tapes of my retirement party from 25 years ago which I had never seen before,” he wrote. “Jeez, we were young. Then a tape of my wedding with all the family and friends, many of which are no longer around. Then skiing trips, kids growing up, travels, and most importantly the gentle maturing of my family. Each one more than the last. All thanks to your generous selling of the VHS player.”

The story inspired people to tell other stories of times when selling something on eBay brought immense happiness to a stranger’s life.

And there’s a lesson to be learned not just in cherishing your memories but also in taking the time out to thank people who have impacted your life in some small but meaningful way.

What a great story!