In a heartwarming TikTok video, an 89-year-old man burst into tears at Cracker Barrel. No, he did not have a bad meal and become upset over it. When other people in the restaurant sang him Happy Birthday, the senior burst into tears.
This 12-second video, which shows a crowd at Cracker Barrel celebrating his birthday, has received eight million views. According to Taste of Country, his name is Richard, and he is a regular customer at this establishment.
Despite the fact that the staff knew him well, Richard had no idea other customers would serenade him. “Entire Cracker Barrel singing to this sweet old man who turned 89,” the video’s caption read.
When people began singing, the man was holding a piece of desert in front of him. Near the end of the Happy Birthday song, Richard began to sob at the sweet gesture. “Him crying broke my heart,” the text continued, “and I went over to hug him.
Author V.A. Sanchez ‘@authorvasanchez’ shared this touching moment on February 16, and it quickly went viral. “Look at him being excited about his birthday dessert,” the poster added, along with a crying emoji.
Just a day after the post went viral, Sanchez wanted to do more for Richard to celebrate his birthday. Because she didn’t work far from the restaurant, she contacted the staff to find out when his next visit was.
Sanchez informed her viewers on the same day that she would be meeting with Richard. She created a sweet birthday card and included some tea bags as a small gift. The author filmed the entire event, reintroducing herself and revealing how many netizens wished him a happy birthday.
“I just wanted to come and just share that love with you that so many people remembered their own Grandpa,” he responded to. “They wanted me to give you big hugs, and they were all crying with you on your birthday.”
Sanchez later revealed in the video to her viewers that Richard has Alzheimer’s disease. “He probably doesn’t remember yesterday, God, I’m going to cry again,” she grumbled. The author also stated that his daughter wasn’t sure if he remembered the Happy Birthday moment because he appeared confused during the conversation.
Despite possibly forgetting the heartwarming birthday serenade, Sanchez described him as a “sweet man” who accepted another hug from her. Richard also accepted the birthday card and Sanchez’s thoughtful gesture of paying for his meal.
