Lani Moments

I was standing in line outside the Museum of Illusions in Manhattan when a museum worker walking through the line randomly gifted us free entrance passes. I noticed his name tag said “Malachi”. I happened to be reading the book Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, which has a main character by the same name.

I told him about the coincidence, and we shared this beautiful little moment. Once we got inside, it hit me; I went back and gave him my hardcover copy of the book. He was so thankful. Two strangers, a name, and a book. I walked out of that museum feeling so good I was nearly skipping to the nearest bodega to buy lottery tickets (which I never do).

That energy…that pause, that warmth, that two-way act of kindness between strangers; that’s a Lani Moment.

“Lani” means heavenly in Hawaiian. We started Aunty Lani’s because we believe the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan, and sometimes all it takes is a cookie, a conversation, or a coincidence to create one.

1. 1Post a video (45 seconds max) on Instagram telling the story of a serendipitous, genuine human connection you’ve experienced.
2. 2Tag @AuntyLanis in your post and use the hashtag #LaniMoment.
3. 3That’s it. The Aunty Council takes it from here.

Every month, the top 5 most-liked #LaniMoment posts become finalists. Then the Aunty Council picks the winner based on one thing: The Malachi Factor— the most genuine, serendipitous, human connection.

This isn’t a popularity contest. It’s a sincerity contest.

Our Community Creed

• ♥Humanity: Does this story show a real human connection?
• ☆Maturity: Is this a story you’d tell at a Sunday dinner table?
• ☀Spirit: Does it leave people feeling better than when they started?

• Open to anyone in the Aunty Lani’s community. No purchase necessary to enter.
• Videos must be 45 seconds or less, posted to Instagram, tagged @AuntyLanis with #LaniMoment.
• Monthly submissions close on the last day of each month. Winners announced by the third business day of the following month.
• Monthly prize pickup at the next scheduled Windsor Pl or MS 51 pickup.
• By posting with #LaniMoment and tagging @AuntyLanis, you grant Aunty Lani’s LLC permission to repost, share, and feature your story across our platforms with credit.
• Aunty Lani’s LLC reserves the right to disqualify any entry or remove any tag that does not align with our community values.
• The Aunty Council’s decision is final and made with love.