TikTok Star Elyse Myers on How Embracing Awkward Got Her 5M Followers

When Thanksgiving comes around, we of course can't help but think of all the things we are thankful for. And this year? Given the past few years, we're especially grateful for this category of human: the people who can make us laugh.

And that list includes the ridiculously hilarious TikTok star (5 million followers strong!) Elyse Myers (@elysemyers on TikTok).

The 28-year-old Omaha, Nebraska-based comedienne starting sharing, as she puts it, "very awkward stories about myself on TikTok" during the pandemic, as a creative outlet during a tense time — and during life as a new mom. (Fittingly, her first viral TikTok was of her son saying "mama!").

After that, though, she shared the story of a wild first date — the guy ordered, wait for it, 100 hardshell tacos! Then proceeded to reveal he forgot his wallet at home, which is where he took her, only for her to find his dad on the couch — and the LOL-worthy tales just kept on coming.

(As did the fans! A list that includes Leslie Jones, Ryan Seacrest and former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe.)

But while Elyse can't help but keep us laughing, it's this from her that makes us love her most of all: "I realized while I was making these videos that I, just by sitting my phone in front of me and sharing stories, was giving people permission to accept these incredibly awkward moments in our life. [And] the thing that I hope when people watch these videos, honestly, is just that they realize that there are extraordinary things that happen in ordinary moments."

We couldn't love that message more! ❤️