When she says “I’m Desiree”.... everyone in the world starts crying 😢 10:09

Desiree is my niece. I was 15 years old at the time when this tragedy struck. Losing my sister, my brother-in-law, and my 5 year old niece all at the same time was devastating to say the least. Desiree shared the initial podcast with me and I was excited to hear about the reunion. Watching this video brought me to tears. Brought back a lot of memories and emotions. I didn't realize Desiree remembered so many details. I never asked to spare her any pain of reliving that horrific time in her life. Hearing how my sister and the others passed played so differently in my head all these years due to the limited information we had. I have no doubt God steered these wonderful captains in her direction so she would survive. He had and has a purpose for her life. She is a special woman, wonderful mommy, and a great wife. I'm so proud of her and proud to call her my niece. Love you to pieces Des.

You can tell those two men have loved that little girl all of those years, wanting to know that she is ok.

As soon as he says "This is not a translator" the guys understand already. What a moment.

There's nothing better in the world than watching two grown ass tough men crying with joy.

that hug must’ve felt like the world for them 😭

My uncle was on this boat..Allen Wheeler, which was Desiree uncle as well. My middle name is named after him...Joseph Allen Wheeler... Thank you for saving her!!

Why do i punish myself by rewatching the "I'm Desiree" scene over and over and bawling my eyes out.

Tiktok brought me here... and it was worth it! Beautiful story and reunion. Thank you for sharing your story 🥰

Man how she kept it together the whole interview I’ll never know.

The fact that these guys tried so hard to find Desiree to see how she was after all these years and just know that she was ok speaks VOLUMES of the level of integrity and character that these two men have. Hero's certainly comes to mind when it describes these two and everyone else involved in the rescue.

This one of those golden nuggets of youtube, what a beautiful thing that was.

She grew up to be a beautiful women with a beautiful family, I’m feeling so thankful for the 2 fisherman’s , I’m glad they got to see her again.

The faces of recognition at 9:59 it’s like if the world’s weight was lifted off their shoulders. One of the most beautiful full circle moments I’ve ever seen. What a privilege to hear her story FROM her, and an honor to meet these humble heroes. I hope they’ll get to live a fulfilling happy life

god, the way she said "i remember my mom foaming at the mouth." the fact that she tried to save her uncle and couldn't hold on to him. that poor little girl had to watch them all pass away. i can't imagine.

Mark and Paul were telling a story they've told hundreds and hundreds of times. They were telling what happened but still trying to be modest. Their reactions were just pure joy.

it's amazing how Desiree controlled her emotion until she introduced herself to them..damn , such a heartfelt story . 😁

I am 66 years old and THIS is the BEST VIDEO. Just Amazing.

"Who saves one life, saves a world entire."

She lost family but gained two more family members. I am just really glad they were able to meet each other while they still had the chance

I feel like her Aunt keeping her busy and moving and laughing kept her literally warm in temperature and soul. Glad you all got some foreclosure.

Absolutely crushing when she recalled each event. 😢 Unimaginable for an adult let alone a 9 year old.

To see the child you save as little girl Now a grown woman You gave her ,her life back Her Future ,teenage, marriage kids

One of the greatest surprises I’ve seen, these dudes had no clue until the reveal lol

Podcast guy must feel so good about himself making this happen. Awesome. Be proud my friend 👍 this is gold

I don’t know if I’ll ever stop watching this video. Over 2 years I’ve come back so many times!

They cried. She cried. I cried.

You can see Paul's heart drop when Desiree said the accident happened in the evening and he realized she'd been in the water all night. :'( And the way he smiles when she talks about her kids is like a proud father. ❤️ So glad they were all able to meet again.

She lost her whole family and was 9. Desiree you are a miracle and these men was sent to you from a very high power. I’m glad they met and I hope they continue to keep a relationship. Making a grown man cry.

Wife and I was in tears, when “Raquel”said “I’m Desiree,” 😭 God Bless Desiree and the captains. Mahalo for sharing. 🤙🏽

These are real men, who have not shame in crying!

This should be a movie

Loved the podcast!. Desiree used to be my work partner a few years back. I never knew her story. Recently my wife has become super close friends to Desriee and I heard about the strory. But to hear it on this podcast had me in awe and in tears. God works in mysterious ways. 🙏 .

My son will be 10 in Jan. I couldn't imagine that being him alone in the water like that. I'm a 30 year old hillbilly who likes to think I'm pretty tough and cried like a baby watching this. I just can't even imagine being in any of yalls shoes. Crazy how life works out. Great podcast. Thanks for posting this.

What she went through is unfathomable. May she have nothing but happiness and love the rest of her life. And what incredible heroes. It was awesome to be able to see the reunion. Bless all of them!

I saw the clip on tiktok and I knew instantly I needed to see the whole story. A devastating and beautiful story all in one. This is humanity at its rawest and realest.

If I saw this woman on the street I would never imagine something so traumatic happened to her. I’m happy she is still here today.

These two men are so close. They are family. And their family just got a lot larger. A lot of love to share for the rest of all their lives.

I don't know how she held her emotions back sitting across these men. Must of taken every ounce of strength. Until she couldn't.. when she said I'm Desiree.. man, even I wanted to give her a big hug

8:30 When Mark is trying to explain how it felt and Desiree finishes his sentences. They both remember exactly how it felt to be in the water that night and will probably never forget it. What a sad yet captivating story but I'm so glad there could be such a wholesome reunion from it. Thank you for sharing the moment with all of us as well.

I have not seen Mark or Paul in many years... since my ex husband worked for them on the Independence. Their heroism does not surprise me, nor does their humility about it. They look pretty much the same as well lol! Very awesome, and typical of the type of gentlemen they are this brought tears to my eyes.

I love the fact that when they're told "She's not a translator", they knew exactly who she was. It's like they recognized her in some part of their mind the whole time and I love that.

They genuinely care you can tell when they burst out in tears when they find out it’s her

These men have such radiant hearts. They are such beautiful men. And the way that Desiree kept the secret for such a long time in that meeting, wow!!!! God bless all of them and may their beautiful, resilient selves have deeply rewarding lives!

I knew when it was coming. I knew exactly what was going to happen. Still I'm sobbing with happiness from their relief. They worried and wondered about her for every one of those 35 years. The gentleman sitting closer to the host figured it out but waited on her to speak before getting fully excited. This is a beautiful story of luck and survival that got to grow up into thankfulness and love. Those men became her uncles that day, it's so nice to see their reunion.

Estoy aquí llorando por los Cotorros.

Happy tears! ❤

I go on the Independence boat regularly and have for many years . I have known these two for a long time and they are just the best . I never knew this story but I am not surprised. Mark and Paul are indeed heroes . I am so proud to know them .

This is one of the most incredible, devastating and uplifting stories I've ever heard. How she was able to survive for over 20 hours in the water is unbelievable, and then to finally be rescued by these heroes, wow!

Probably the best thing I have seen in a very long time. Watched it over and over. Powerful.

Very late to the party on this one but still had to comment. This was truly beautiful. What an emotional story. Made this old boy shed some tears on that reveal. Thank God and best wishes to all evolved!

WOW!!! I know Desiree and Nick and her story.. and this is amazing how it all came together. I've been in tears watching this and can't believe you guys all found each other again. This needs to be a movie. What a blessing for all. Higher Power for Sure!!!!

“I’m Desiree” Wow. I wasn’t ready for this emotional rollercoaster. What an amazing story of survival. All four folks on this podcast make this world a better place. And shoutout to Tissue Box Man!

So amazing! I read the LA Times article that came out today. What an incredible story. And then to watch them reunite...so many tears!

eyes of capt strasser at 9:59 when he realized who really was sitting in front of him

This video is a treasure of a find. This was a random video on my feed. I’m so glad I watched this. It’s nice to know real heroes exist. And she’s delightful. Thank you for sharing that incredible story.

TikTok brought me here and now I’m crying. 😭🙏❤️

The internet is a fascinating thing. I saw a tiktok and i immediately searched for this podcast episode and now I’m sobbing like they were my family members. This story touched me so much and I loved the lead up. Amazing

This is one of the most powerful videos I've ever seen. Felt every emotion and more. These two men are heroes. What an absolutely amazing but heart wrenching story. I could tell how much those details you learned have drove you crazy. AMAZING.

I think my favorite part of this is that they were able to fill in parts of the story which were a mystery to one another for three-and-a-half decades. I can only imagine how many questions each of them had for one another. I know it's been over two years since this was released and I wonder if Desiree and the Captains still keep in touch and meet up. I can tell there is a bond there and I would love to hear that.

The call to go to the west end vs the east end going home was a god send for sure. It’s not the normal way to head home.

My friend, mi amigo Phil, I was in tears the entire podcast. I believe God brought you back to the United States for a reason. To get back to our fishing industry and to reunite Desiree with her rescuers. God bless you, and God bless all fishing captains and their crew willing to risk their lives to save one. Thank you for sharing this story!

For such an emotional story between these three you did an amazing job hosting this dude. You let them run the conversation and added good points when needed. Phil you handled this extremely well.

That's a great friendship right there.

I cannot believe how powerful this is. I can't stop replaying this. I'm just blown away seeing this side of humanity, especially after the last 3 years we have all lived through. Absolutely amazing clip. These two are angels walking the earth and no one can ever tell me otherwise. Talk about restoring your faith in humanity!!! Unreal. I will book a trip to fish with their company just to support these two American heroes! And Desiree looks amazing. What a story!!

Also here from Tiktok and I’m so glad I am. This story is incredible had me in tears, god truly does exist. May he bless them all 💙

Here after "all things internet" video channel ... ❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 God bless good people in this world ❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐

Wow I had to pause it at 11:00 into this video it just turned me upside down and brought tears. Wow can't wait to hear the rest of the story. There should be a documentary about this story. I just want to thank the captain's for there instinct action they took God bless them 🙏🙏🙏

A heartbreaking story, an unbelievable rescue, and a heartwarming reunion. Just amazing.

Ive watched this video 10 times but cried 15 times. The odds and chances from her being rescued to them being reunited are astronomical but yet it happened and we all witnessed the reunion part. Didnt it feel like an out of body experience to be watching it? I didnt cry, i bust out crying as soon as you knew the 2 heroes realised who she was just before she said 'im Desiree'. This is truly something that reaches into your soul.

these are happy tears. as a father to a 19 month old, i couldnt hold it in. yall got me

Wow she still remembers what happened that night :( she must have loving family behind to her to survive the trauma

Although I now live in Italy, I've been to Catalina many times, and am also a licenced skipper. You guys made me cry too. Jesus. All of you show the world that there is hope for humanity. What a video, what a story. Grazie

What a beautiful moment

So beautiful. A moment building for 35 years for all three of them, and it could not have been more perfect.

I used to watch news all the time. Now I just watch things like this. Makes me much happier.

Just drifted by ~ saw your post and got anchored. I'm humbled by what you did. And the beautiful life you saved for this world. Words fail, guys.

It was the most emotional podcasts ever filmed, indeed!

It’s often overlooked but first responders or rescuers also suffer versions of trauma, often seeing the aftermath of tragedy firsthand. Mark and Paul had likely put all that aside for years, this was a great release and therapy for them too.

Amazing story and podcast. How Desiree kept her composure before the reveal is phenomenal! But wow the emotions are wonderful and intense!

This is my favorite KZfaq video!!!

Holly Molly!!!my eyes welled up with tears being myself a merchant sailor for 12 years

I have no words. Just...wow.

10:00 From the expression, he (the one in the blue cap) somehow imagined what was to come. Congratulations to them.

I had a similar situation. I did two tours in Vietnam doing medevac duty. My last mission, we rescued three guys from live combat. The MASH doctors didn't think they'd make it. A few years ago, I took my 4 adult daughters to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. All three of those guys were there alive and well. Needless to say, that it was a tearful reunion.

This video is better that many hollywood movies! Thank you!

I am retired firefighter/paramedic with 30 years in the fire department and 69 years old. This story touched me so deeply I was bawling the entire time. There was definitely divine intervention involved in Desiree's rescue. God bless each and every one of you.

I keep coming back to this video when I'm feeling low. It's amazing how it always picks me up. It dawned on me that what Mark and Paul did was more than saving Desiree. They also saved the lives that came after her - her kids, her grandkids, and beyond. The good things they and their descendants will do in the world all stem from that one act. It's crazy to think about how many lives are better off because Mark and Paul were there that day. Again, big thanks to Phil (?) who put this video together. It's easily my favorite video on KZfaq.

This needs to be made into a movie! Incredible story!

What surprises me the most is that there's only half a million views on this video so far. And some of them are probably people rewatching this video. It is the greatest, one of the saddest, and the most wholesome I've ever seen on the internet. This is amazing.

I thought I was totally past feeling but this made me cry!

I've watched this in its entirety like 3 times in the last year. What an amazing story and a beautiful reunion!

i remember this story being on the news when i was a teenager, was a huge story as i live in northern ontario, canada and still heard of it as it was reported. Im stunned to have found this update all these years later, amazing and awesome to see them meet again and fill in some of the questions they had for each other....unbelievable and very touching

This is my favorite video on the internet by far! Humans being humans!

I have watched this video so many times, still the same ... tears run down my face

Could u imagine... for 35 years, wondering from time to time, and thinking about allllll the time that went by between then and this day, and to all the sudden but hit with this surprise that the girl u saved 35 yrs ago is sitting right in front of u.... wow

This for me is the third or the fourth time watching this experience I still can’t believe what Desiree went through and and the way the two heroes acted the way when they cried when they realized that Desiree was there

Amazing. If There is one angel walking the earth its Desiree

So good that Desire has stayed in touch with her heroes.

From a tragic accident springs forth a very emotional and beautiful reunion, years in the making! 😭