Waiting, Hoping, and Missing Him
My fiancé and I have been patiently waiting for my K-1 visa to be approved so we can finally be together. As I pondered a long-distance relationship birthday surprise with my birthday just around the corner in October, I started feeling sad knowing we still wouldn’t be spending it together.
Even though I understood the circumstances, it didn’t stop me from missing him deeply. During our video calls, I often found myself holding back tears—or sometimes, just letting them fall. He always knew how to lift my spirits and remind me that this is only temporary.
A Regular Sunday—Or So I Thought
On Sunday, September 29, everything felt like a regular day. We had our usual chats and video calls. He mentioned he needed to head back to Walmart to grab a few things. Just the day before, he had picked up groceries and surprised me by buying a bunch of my favorite chocolates—Hershey’s Kisses with almonds.
He asked if he could send them through a courier, but I told him not to bother because the shipping would cost more than the chocolates themselves. While shopping, he also picked out some clothes—shirts, shorts, and pants. I joked that the last time he shopped like that was before flying out to meet me in the Philippines, planning another surprise, perhaps for his long-distance birthday visit.
He even walked into the greeting card aisle and chose a card. I had a feeling it was for me, and I just assumed he’d include it in a future package as part of a relationship birthday surprise.
A Weird Feeling on Monday
September 30 rolled around. It was Monday morning for me, and Sunday night for him. Normally, we’d chat between 6 to 8 a.m., but that day he messaged me at 3 a.m. saying he needed to sleep early and might not respond right away the next day.
I understood and tried not to worry. But throughout my workday, he barely replied. It felt strange. I missed him more than usual—it was like we hadn’t talked in ages and my longing for a long-distance birthday surprise grew stronger.
A Night Out That Turned Into a Dream
Later that evening, a friend invited me to come with her on a date. She was meeting someone new, and I agreed to join her for moral support. We went home first after work to wait, as her date was running late.
While waiting, I kept messaging my fiancé, sending him photos and telling him how much I missed him. But still—no response. I almost called, but my friend convinced me to wait a little longer and head out.
We walked to the restaurant nearby. She acted nervous and showed me a photo of the guy she was supposed to meet. To make it more exciting, she promised me a treat at one of our favorite restaurants, saying we could order anything we wanted.
Then… It Happened
We got to the restaurant, ordered food, and I chose my favorite—Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad. While we waited, my friend started taking a video of the place. I thought she was sending it to her date to help him find us more easily.
She said, “They’re here.” I assumed our other friends had arrived. She pointed toward our table while on the phone. Suddenly, a man stood beside me. My immediate reaction was to move away—I thought he was a stranger.
But when I looked up, I saw those beautiful, familiar eyes smiling at me.
Time stopped.
Could it really be him? The man I love—standing inches away from me? Just yesterday, I thought he was thousands of miles away in Florida. I was speechless, frozen, confused… and overwhelmed with joy. His appearance truly felt like a birthday surprise and transformed our long-distance relationship, forging a moment into magic.
The Moment That Melted My Heart
I hugged him tight. I couldn’t believe it was real. My friends laughed and took videos as he handed me a paper bag. Inside was a gorgeous preserved flower arrangement—three pink roses.
Later, I found out how expensive those flowers were. Even the cashier suggested a cheaper option, but my fiancé chose that one because it reminded him of me.
A Birthday I’ll Always Remember
That night became the best moment of my life.
He gave me the one thing I wished for but never expected—to be with him on my birthday. Everything else faded. I barely touched my food. I just wanted to hold his hand, feel his presence, and soak in the moment. His surprise was the ultimate gift in our long-distance relationship, creating a birthday surprise beyond imagination.
His surprise reminded me how deeply he loves me. Even across oceans, he made the impossible possible. And I know—this is only the beginning of a beautiful life we’ll build together.
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