Harbor seal cuddles a diver, giving him a warm welcome to the sea and his official “seal of approval” (VIDEO)

Many kids in the 2000s were wildly obsessed with dolphins, Lisa Frank ocean stickers, and Free Willie, but perhaps they missed out on the sea's second most adorable mammal: Seals. 

They may be goofy, ungraceful creatures on land, flopping up onto the beach like a fattened caterpillar, but seals are like ballerinas in the water. Dancing amidst the kelp forests and swirling around above the seafloor, seals are more magical than most people give them credit for, but that's because most people fail to see them in their natural habitat. 

Because we're not so much the seafaring types ourselves, humans are limited to the lumpy beach versions of seals, and it's only a rare few that are mystified by the boundless grace and infinite cuteness of seals as they swim. Divers, luckily, can bring cameras down to the great depths, so that landlubbers like you and me can experience the true wonders of Poseidon's puppies. 

Alas, a seal went viral recently for giving a particularly profound diver a seal of approval, giving humans one more glimpse into the world below the surface. 

This diver is no stranger to the deep seas. After a lifetime of ocean dives with his favorite marine mammals, u/lostfisch has become something of an expert. Although it's not just the harbor seals down there in the big ol' blue, the seals and sea lions are his favorite. Playful, sweet, and always curious, seals have a sense of trust and cuteness that humanity simply can't refuse. 

"Respect the ocean, and it will show you things most people never see," he says.

Remember, though, as u/lostfisch always says, harbor seals are protected creatures, and we should never reach out our water-wrinkled human hands to try and touch them. However, if this cute speckled beauty comes up to you and starts playing with your snorkel, you're morally obligated to oblige the torpedo beast and let them play as long as they like. 

It might just result in the most magical video on the internet.