Popcorn: the hamster who changed my life
Dec
by Christopher Davies
If you’d told me a few years ago that a tiny hamster would help me overcome my struggles with mental health, reconnect with my daughter, and even lead me to the woman I’m about to marry, I’d have laughed.
But that’s exactly what happened. And it all started in our home in Cardiff, with one small, curious creature named Popcorn.
Before Popcorn came into our lives, I was in a difficult place. I’d been struggling with my mental health and feeling stuck in a fog of routine and self-doubt. I wanted to find a way to bring light and laughter back into my life – and into my daughter Lily’s.
I wanted to show her that even in hard times, there’s always room for joy, care, and connection. So one day, I suggested we get a pet; something small, something gentle, something we could look after together. And that’s how Popcorn entered our world.
From the very first day, Popcorn wasn’t just another hamster. He had this personality. He was bold, loving, almost human. He’d greet us when we came into the room, let Lily hold him without fear, and seemed to genuinely enjoy being part of our lives.
One day, I filmed a simple clip of Lily chatting to Popcorn and posted it on TikTok. No editing, no strategy, just a dad sharing a sweet moment with his daughter.
What happened next changed everything.
That video went viral. Within hours, our notifications were overflowing. Thousands of people were watching, commenting, and falling in love with Popcorn. They saw what we saw. They saw the warmth, the innocence, the joy.
That was the birth of @chrisdavies50, a community that has now grown to nearly 150,000 followers and over 11.3 million likes. Numbers I still can’t quite believe.
At first, I didn’t see myself as an influencer. I was just a dad sharing bits of everyday life. But the messages we began receiving made me realise the power of it all. People would write things like, ‘I’ve been struggling too, and watching Popcorn helps me cope.’
Those words hit home because I knew exactly how that felt. Creating videos, connecting with people, and sharing joy became a lifeline. In many ways, influencing saved me. It gave me purpose, structure, and hope – three things I’d been missing.
Lily took on the title of ‘Popcorn’s manager’ with pride. She planned his adventures, chose music, and made sure he got the best treats and attention. Watching her confidence and creativity grow has been one of my proudest achievements as a dad.
The next step in Popcorn’s legacy was our book, Popcorn: The Unlikeliest of Friends. It began as a simple poem that Lily and I wrote one evening, inspired by everything Popcorn had given us. With the incredible support of Candy Jar Books, that poem became a fully illustrated children’s book, one that’s now available at all major retailers, including Waterstones, WHSmith, and Amazon.
Holding that book for the first time was indescribable. To see Popcorn’s story, our story, on a shelf alongside other authors, was a dream I never thought I’d have. It’s proof that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary beginnings.
Sadly, in the summer of 2023, we lost Popcorn. It was heartbreaking; for Lily, for me, and for the huge community that had followed his adventures. Our home felt quieter, emptier.
But something beautiful happened in the aftermath. Thousands of people reached out, sharing memories and messages of love. It reminded me that Popcorn’s story wasn’t over just yet. His impact had rippled far beyond what we could see.
He may have been small, but the space he filled in our lives, and in the hearts of others, was enormous.
Then, in the middle of all this, came a message that changed my life yet again.
A fellow NHS nurse named Carrie reached out after watching one of our videos. She said they brightened her shifts after long days caring for others. She asked a simple question about Popcorn’s bedding and that led to a conversation, then another, and soon we were talking about everything: life, love, laughter, and loss.
Something clicked immediately. There was warmth, honesty, and understanding. Before I knew it, I was driving to meet her. I was nervous, but hopeful!
Now, Carrie and I are counting down the days to our wedding. She’s become such an important part of our lives, and Lily adores her. Sometimes, we all sit together and laugh about how this incredible journey, from mental health struggles to viral videos to finding love. And it all began with one hamster in Cardiff.
Before long, I’ll stand beside Carrie, my soon-to-be wife, with Lily proudly by my side. Popcorn may no longer be with us, but he’s still part of everything we do. He brought us together, inspired a community, and taught us that love and connection can appear in the most unexpected ways.
From a hamster in a little cage to a story shared across the world, it still feels completely surreal.
And every time I look back at where it began, I’m reminded that sometimes the smallest hearts leave the biggest footprints.
