Grandma Goes Viral Eating Chocolate Ice Cream After Lent (Exclusive)

• Alexis Alvarez’s grandmother, Magali, has always observed Lent closely
• Every year, when the season arrives, Magali gives up sweets — specifically chocolate
• The moment when she had chocolate for the first time post-Lent this year was a big one — so big, it was caught on video and went viral on TikTok

Alexis Alvarez‘s grandmother, Magali, stays deeply rooted in tradition — especially during the holidays.

Alvarez, 24, says her grandma has always shown love through the meals she prepares and the way her food brings everyone together around the table. “No one cooks like my abuela, and no one loves quite like her either,” Alvarez tells PEOPLE exclusively.

One season Magali particularly observes is Lent. Every year, when Easter time arrives, Alvarez says her grandma gives up sweets — specifically chocolate. So, it came as no surprise when the 84-year-old once again decided to give up chocolate this year.

“Chocolate is her favorite and ‘most tempting’ for her, so that’s why she gives it up for Lent,” Alvarez explains.

Before Lent even ended this year, Magali was already making plans with Alvarez to get chocolate. The week before Lent wrapped up, she told her granddaughter, “I am counting down the days until you take me for my chocolates.”

Once Easter came and Lent ended, Alvarez offered to take her grandma to some new local spots for chocolate. But Magali had other ideas. She wanted to go to Cold Stone Creamery instead, telling Alexis, “Cold Stone does it the way I like it. I don’t want to risk going anywhere else.”

“I am very proud of her for staying strong through the 40 days because she had opportunities to eat chocolate at our family dinners and she didn’t do it,” Alvarez adds.

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So, the duo drove over to their local Cold Stone, where Magali ordered “The Chocolate Devotion” flavor with pecans added, in a waffle cone cup dipped in chocolate and nuts. Size: Gotta Have It! As they were enjoying their treat, Magali exclaimed, “This is better than sex!”

The workers, in shock, started laughing, and Alvarez couldn’t help but chuckle at her grandma’s bold statement.

In the moment, Alvarez pulled out her phone and recorded her grandma’s reaction. Later, she posted the video on her Instagram Story for her friends, who love seeing content of her grandparents. But then, everyone started swiping up, suggesting she “post it on TikTok.”

So, she did — and it went viral. Since then, the video has racked up more than 4 million views and nearly 2,200 comments.

“Need to know what her order is lol because I’m going to cold stone today and getting that exact thing,” one user commented.

“I know that cost $25 at cold stone,” someone else wrote.

Another user said, “i gave up chocolate for lent too i really feel her happiness.”

“I told her the next day, and she was surprised. The first thing she asked was, ‘Well, is it going to make me any money?’ To which I replied, ‘No,’ ” Alvarez jokes.

“Everyone loves her! I’ve never had a viral video with 100% positive comments — that’s super rare, so I’m happy she got so much love,” Alvarez adds. “I also love how many people said it reminded them of their grandma, who has passed away, and how it made them happy.”

Alvarez hopes the video continues to makes people happy and laugh, as her grandma continues to inspire people to live life to the fullest.

“What I admire most is her strength, resilience and unconditional love,” Alvarez says. “She’s faced many challenges in life, but you’d never know it from the way she carries herself — with grace, warmth and wisdom. She always knows just what to say, offering advice when I need it most — even when I don’t realize it yet.”

“She’s not just my grandmother,” she adds, “she’s my role model, my guide and a constant reminder of the power of hard work and love.”