A heartwarming story of a woman sharing her ‘Golden Retriever’ boyfriend’s sweet daily ritual has captured the attention of thousands online. Ella Swanberg, 27, has shared a special video showcasing her boyfriend Spencer Canny’s heartfelt gesture of waving to her every morning as she drives past his house on her way to work. What started as a simple act of affection has now gone viral, with the couple opening up to PEOPLE about their relationship and the unexpected response to their daily routine.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Ella-Swanberg-whose-boyfriend-drives-by-her-house-and-waves-at-her-every-day-020725-4-2fddce2e26a44fc1849a4ac037127597.jpg)

Swanberg revealed that she had been compiling clips of Canny waving to her for nearly a year before deciding to finally share the video on TikTok in January. The video, which features Canny standing in his driveway with a cup of coffee, waving and smiling as Swanberg drives by, quickly gained popularity on the platform, amassing over 125,000 likes and 450,000 views. The couple began dating just over a year ago and soon after started sharing their locations with each other, leading to the morning ritual that has now touched the hearts of many online.

Canny, 31, recalled the moment he first decided to surprise Swanberg by waving to her during one of their phone conversations on her way to work. From that day on, he made it a daily habit to wave to her every morning, even adjusting his work schedule to ensure he could be outside at the same time. The gesture has earned Canny the endearing nickname of a “golden retriever boyfriend” from online commenters, reflecting his kind and affectionate nature.
The couple and their friends have been overwhelmed by the positive response to the viral video, with Swanberg expressing her gratitude for the heartwarming comments and messages they have received. Despite the online praise, Canny remains humble about his actions, stating that he is simply a “happy, bubbly guy” and is grateful for the opportunity to bring joy to others through something as simple as waving hello each day.
Among the many reactions to their story, one particular comment resonated with Swanberg – a woman shared a similar experience with her husband, highlighting the universal appeal of small gestures of love and connection. Even Bachelorette alum Michelle Young joined in on the fun, joking about replicating the couple’s morning ritual with her own fiancé. The couple’s story serves as a reminder of the power of consistent acts of love and kindness in nurturing relationships and spreading positivity in unexpected ways.
As Swanberg and Canny continue to share snippets of their daily lives online, they hope to inspire others to appreciate the small moments of connection that often go unnoticed. Their story exemplifies the beauty of love in its simplest form, proving that sometimes all it takes is a wave and a smile to brighten someone’s day. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, this tale of a ‘Golden Retriever’ boyfriend’s daily ritual serves as a heartening reminder of the enduring power of love and affection in bringing joy to others.
