Late Monday night, Sports Illustrated writer Richard Deitsch tweeted, "How many of you have a photograph of the single best moment of your life? If so, what a gift." A flood of people tweeted back at him with photos of them at their happiest.

SEE ALSO: 25 Excitement GIFs to Express Your Joy

Deitsch's inquiry was inspired by this photo of a fellow sports writer celebrating with his brother, who had just won an NCAA hockey championship at Yale.

Responses to Deitsch's question included everything from proposals, weddings, the birth and adoption of children to beating life-threatening illnesses. Thirty of our favorite emotional tweets are below — and yes, we teared up, just a little, while writing this.

1.

@richarddeitsch I got a pic of the happiest moment of my life the exact second it happened. She said yes! pic.twitter.com/Rp2KZ40J89 — Steve Wendt (@steve_wendt) July 9, 2013

2.

@richarddeitsch @Sports_Casters My wife's sons waiting to walk her down the aisle. Sonoma. Just two weekends ago. pic.twitter.com/0AqgJ2Gqqm — Ryan Wallace (@BigBlueWest) July 9, 2013

3.

@richarddeitsch I can't not play... I don't think I've ever laughed so hard... Best. Day. Ever. pic.twitter.com/TBX78v034v — Heather Brittany (@HeatherBrit) July 9, 2013

4.

@richarddeitsch The day my wife woke up after her double-lung/heart transplant. pic.twitter.com/JEYalwt6lr — Ryan Kaltenbach (@RyanKaltenbach) July 9, 2013

5.

@richarddeitsch @Sports_Casters the day after my wife woke up from & survived brain tumor surgery. 4 yrs cancer-free pic.twitter.com/YR0UrD4DYQ — Justin Pybas (@pybas_311) July 9, 2013

6.

@richarddeitsch @sports_casters the night I skipped homework to spend time with my Grammy, one of my last times pic.twitter.com/6o8n2l8fLA — Joann Villanueva (@joannmarieee) July 9, 2013

7.

8.

9.

@richarddeitsch @Sports_Casters Qualifying for the Boston Marathon a year after dropping out at Mile 25 pic.twitter.com/y8OIyYpJYZ — Nathan Giannini (@nathangiannini) July 9, 2013

10.

@richarddeitsch @Sports_Casters Set an American Record in the midst of a quarter life crisis pic.twitter.com/zX80SUWEyu — Ann Gaffigan (@anngaff) July 9, 2013

11.

@richarddeitsch My mother, who was my school's superintendent my high school career, after she handed me my diploma pic.twitter.com/dE4RU34jrO — Lane Smith (@Lanentations) July 9, 2013

12.

@richarddeitsch I came home from Iraq (2nd tour) and got to hug my mom! pic.twitter.com/OuQJSd4ms9 — Ken (@TheKenChin) July 9, 2013

13.

@richarddeitsch Yep. Moment my son smiled at me for the first time. pic.twitter.com/EY6rkUMmGf — JT (@thesonsofnoone) July 9, 2013

14.

.@richarddeitsch - Daughter was born a preemie. Held her against me after to keep her warm. She melted my heart. pic.twitter.com/XwEevST3WO — Sports Biz Radio (@SBRadio) July 9, 2013

15.

@richarddeitsch @sports_casters Easy choice.. Jordan & Nola coming into my life on 11/8/11.. And every day since! pic.twitter.com/OyfHx3W4E8 — Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinCSN) July 9, 2013

16.

17.

18.

@richarddeitsch Seeing my son, who once couldn't tolerate skates on feet b/c of autism, skate in front of 47k people pic.twitter.com/CH6oOWHgdt — Neil N (@pucksandpuzzles) July 9, 2013

19.

@richarddeitsch almost 4 years later & I still haven't topped this day! pic.twitter.com/YmW74cXE4x — James Farrish (@JamesF84) July 9, 2013

20.

@richarddeitsch my mother, baking cookies with my son. She passed away 3 years later. pic.twitter.com/KRbIvOGypW — Bob Ashley (@rashley314) July 9, 2013

21.

@richarddeitsch Right before I proposed to my unsuspecting girlfriend in the snow in Northern Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/VLgDmKMgRH — Eric Weber (@edweber1) July 9, 2013

22.

@richarddeitsch One of them. My first day covering and writing about sports. pic.twitter.com/OotTF06Py8 — Chris Hatfield (@_ChrisHatfield) July 9, 2013

23.

@richarddeitsch @Sports_Casters day I graduated boot camp. Mom said she was never more proud of me. pic.twitter.com/kSY38lX5YT — Jake Eastman (@ThatGuyJakeE) July 9, 2013

24.

@richarddeitsch The first time my son held his sister. pic.twitter.com/PzWQle3oHT — Brian B (@CCBsDad) July 9, 2013

25.

26.

@richarddeitsch This was taken literally at that moment. It's all in the eyes. Holding my 1st born for the 1st time. pic.twitter.com/vWgFEV5gsX — jeremiah cox (@jeremiahcox) July 9, 2013

27.

@richarddeitsch This is close. My Grandfather who was a POW in WWII meeting his namesake. pic.twitter.com/hafI9F3lU2 — Charles James (@Charles_James1) July 9, 2013

28.

@richarddeitsch The day I met my wife. Matching T-shirts obviously unplanned (by us anyway). pic.twitter.com/O5JcDtp5vt — David Dorsey (@DavidADorsey) July 9, 2013

29.

@richarddeitsch became a Marine Lt. Best day so far pic.twitter.com/fGC7FWNMcf — Jack Tee (@T_Rock432) July 9, 2013

30.

What's the happiest moment of your life? Was it captured on camera?

BONUS: 12 Photos That Capture What it Means to 'Be Yourself'

Photo Challenge: Be Yourself

H/T U-T San Diego. Homepage image courtesy of iStockPhoto, UygarGeographic