Back in 2013, a Japanese man named Hiroshi Yamashita wrote a sweet note for his new American neighbour which went viral on the Internet.
The American couple, Theresa and her husband had just moved to Yokosuka and decided to the gift their new neighbours beer and chocolate as a friendly gesture.
However, little did they expect a surprise of their own!
Hiroshi paid his new neighbours a visit and bore gifts to celebrate their arrival. He gifted the couple with toilet paper, stuffed animals for their daughters and a note. The note read – “I can’t speak English. Thank you for the present. My name is Hiroshi Yamashita. I’m 52 years old. [I’m divorced] and I live alone.”
Hiroshi’s note to Theresa and her family that went viral.
Source: reddit
Since English wasn’t his spoken language, Hiroshi had some help from a translation app. Nevertheless, the couple was touched by his kind gesture – “We were so impressed with his handwriting and we were totally not expecting a letter or a gift in return.”
“Our introduction to him was a mix of Japanese words and pointing to Google Translate on our phone all while trying to hand him our gifts.”
“We never expected anyone to be so nice back to us.”
It’s been six years since Theresa last interacted with Hiroshi. Looking back at it now, Theresa is grateful to have met Hiroshi. In fact, she recently made a post to celebrate their friendship. In her post, she remembers Hiroshi as a good neighbour and details their good times together.
Theresa’s daughter with new toys gifted by Hiroshi.
Source: reddit
“We all exchanged gifts and food regularly for the four years I lived there. We would go to neighborhood festivals and have dinners together as well. I miss them all and think about them often.”
It’s always nice to see people of different backgrounds coming together. This sweet friendship reflects what Former First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt once said- “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
For another heartwarming story about an unexpected friendship, read:
An Unlikely Friendship That Inspired A Viral Music Video
*Featured image sourced from Reddit
