I'm really glad to be able to read everyone's experiences with island hopping! I went in just for fun and the thrill of seeing what the game throws my way. I was super tempted to pick up Shep who's such a darling boi, but I'm glad I hung in there and kept hopping, because on my 23rd ticket I found someone I was NOT expecting, and my heart immediately swelled with immense joy.
Carrie!
I mentioned this in my OP post that I would be pretty ecstatic if I were to come across Lily for my Henry ❤ or Carrie for Walt but I didn't have my hopes up too high given the RNG of the islands, but man the sheer happiness and surprise I felt when I saw that motherly Kangaroo...
I used to dislike the kangaroos until NL introduced Walt (to me, there is no such thing as a Rooney

ugh he's so ugly imo don't understand why he's not a jock or why he exists to begin with) and I fell in love with Walt. His design totally appeals to me. He was one of my original starters in NL and he's still living in my town to this day...and now, he has joined me for my getaway island life.
The female kangaroos, on the other hand, none of them were ever appealing or interesting at all. They all look so weird, especially Marcie

until Carrie returned to the series. For some reason I was really charmed by her, maybe it's because she seems like such a good, caring, gentle mama, plus in my headcanon I couldn't help but think of her as Walt's wife and the little joy in her pouch is their precious (yet mischievous!) son ❤ that idea is just so cute to me! Not only that but she totally makes me think of the Pokemon Kangaskhan!
And so I invited her, no hesitation, no regrets. Thank you, my island hopping adventure, for giving me sweet mama Carrie. I believe I have now secured all my dreamies ❤❤❤❤