When it comes to birthday’s they’re really something special. For one, it’s the first day of your existence (which is always something to celebrate) but on top of that, it’s also time to be able to celebrate your existence with those closest to you – friends and family.
And those big birthdays, the ones that end in zero, are extra special celebrations.
It’s really important for us to have our family and friends around us for these kinds of celebrations.
Randi Cross invited her dad’s friend Ben to his 60th birthday.
It had been seven years since the close friends had seen each other.
Ben, unfortunately, wasn’t able to make it.
At least that’s what dad thought.
A surprise worth keeping
As it turns out, his family had a special surprise for him.
Dad’s 60th birthday bash was a pretty big one. It was packed with lots of family and friends.
In the middle of dad’s party, they sat him down to watch a video message from a friend.
Capturing his reaction on camera
They ended up recording dad’s reaction to watching the video.
When dad saw his friend Ben on the screen he got really excited. Still, this wasn’t the birthday surprise.
“Oh, how cool is that?!” dad said.
The video started with Ben and his wife singing “Happy Birthday” to dad.
“Hey brother, just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Sorry, we weren’t able to make it down to join it. Sixty years old holy smoke!” Ben said from the TV screen.
Tugging the heartstrings
Dad was clearly becoming emotional from this message from his best bud.
“We’re not that far apart, just turned 50 a year ago, but I’m blessed to have you in my life and blessed to call you my best friend. I know a lot of guys don’t have that relationship with other guys but… (something inaudible). Gosh I’m not very good at this video stuff but I just want to say I love you and I really want to wish you a happy birthday.”
That’s when buddy sneaks up from behind and is watching himself on the TV screen. Dad had no idea that his best buddy on the screen was actually standing behind him.
“I think you’re an amazing man. I admire you and I totally respect you,” Ben says on the TV screen as he simultaneously becomes emotional while standing behind dad. “I just thank God for you.”
The family claps as the video ends and dad gets teary-eyed.
That’s when someone gives him a big hug from behind.
Dad accepts the hug and even pats the hand of the person hugging him.
He thought it was his son until he finally looks up.
“Oh, crap,” dad yells before he jumps to his feet to hug his friend.
It may have been the best bro-hug of all time.
The two hug each other tight and tear up.
And there is something truly beautiful about two grown men, who aren’t family, embracing each other this way.
The video of this happy surprise ended up going viral with more than 5.9 million views.
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