For many kids, Mister Rogers was a household name growing up. He had a way of making every kid feel loved, special, and understood, especially when he sang songs like “It’s You I Like.”

The song lyrics said, “It’s you I like. Every part of you. Your skin, your eyes, your feelings whether old or new. I hope that you’ll remember, even when you’re feeling blue, that it’s you I like. It’s you yourself, it’s you, it’s you I like.”

On an episode in 1981, Mister Rogers welcomes a very special guest to his show. It was quadriplegic Jeffrey Erlanger. Jeffrey told everyone about his disability and his wheelchair which resulted from a tumor on his spine.

Although Mister Rogers had a huge impact on every kid he came across, it was Jeffrey who made a big impact on Mister Rogers. The two sang the song “It’s You I Like” together, and although the story could end there, it doesn’t.

In 1999, Mister Rogers was inducted into Television’s Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, Rogers sat and listened while guests praised him, but the guest that introduced him for his big speech really stunned him.

On stage was Jeffrey. Rogers didn’t even give his old friend time to get to the microphone before he hopped up on the stage to give Jeffrey a big hug. Despite all the years that had passed, Rogers still remembered his little friend.

Hadda Sharapan, one of Rogers’ coworkers, said that Jeffrey made such an impact on Rogers that when asked what moment in his career stood out above the rest, Rogers always pointed to his show with Jeffrey.

The audience was brought to tears as the two friends reunited. Rogers seemed blinded to the reaction of the audience and instead focused all his attention on Jeffrey telling him how much he meant to him.

Jeffrey told Rogers just how much his appearance on the show meant to him too and what an impact it had on his life. Jeffrey ended his tribute by telling Mister Rogers, “It’s you I like.”

Check out the story about Jeffrey and Mister Rogers in the video below and watch their surprising reunion. Be sure to share it with your friends too, but you might want to grab a tissue first.

https://youtu.be/Q3vp-EXQ5Rs