The achievement of turning 100 is undoubtedly a reason to rejoice with family and friends, however one woman was also delighted by her garbage collector, who wanted to celebrate this remarkable lady on her special day.
When it first made headlines in 2019, the friendship between garbage collector Ben Bird and his 100-year-old customer Dorothy Ballard went viral.
Ben always makes a point of stopping to visit with Dorothy, often known as Mercy, when he picks her garbage every week at her house in Kidderminster, England, as he has for the past decade.
He talks about his family and his young kids, the 100-year-old stated about the father-of-two.
Then, when his wife delivered the baby, a young girl, he told her, they’re going to name her Daisy. She responded by telling him how fantastic, and that was her mother’s name.
Ben stated that their friendship began when Mercy opened the door and thanked him. Every week, she makes him chuckle, he continued.
Their friendship has captivated the hearts of millions when Ben and his colleagues surprised Mercy on her 100th birthday with a unique surprise.
Live to be 100, and he’ll bring her a cake for her big birthday, the kind-hearted bin guy had assured his favorite client.
So, when Mercy got her telegram from the Queen, as all UK citizens do when they turn 100, Ben turned up with a cake and candles to celebrate her milestone.
A video of him approaching her front door, hiding the candles, and singing “Happy Birthday” to Mercy went viral.
Ben's birthday surprise for 100-year-old friendMercy is 100 years young. Ben is her favourite refuse collector. Together they are friendship goals! 🙌
Posted by This Morning on Tuesday, 13 August 2019
Ben addresses the great grandmother before singing “Happy Birthday to You” with two colleagues, and then asks her to make a wish before blowing out her candles.
Thousands of people have commented on the video, expressing their faith that their friendship will continue.
One guy tweeted, “Restores your faith in mankind.”
“Lovely tale, Mercy and Ben, may your relationship last for years to come,” said another.
Mercy and Ben’s bond is wonderful, and let’s hope it lasts.
