Many companies in various kinds of field usually deal with people on projects or events that matter to them, professionally, but in our line of work, we always deal with our clients on things that matter to them, personally. Apart from gifts, we organize anything from birthdays, naughty hen nights to special surprises and even wedding proposals. So instead of big corporate events, we deal with events of the heart.
So on April 12, we had to do a specially customized gift delivery. Our client, Ben (not his real name), wanted us to deliver our gift box to his special someone along with 24 helium balloons and a card. You see, Ben is overseas, but he really wanted to surprise that special someone of his and give her a birthday gift she will never forget, even with him miles away. And this sweet guy had already been planning this since (if I'm not mistaken) early January this year.
The plan was to call her up and tell her we were Ben's friend who wanted to pass something to her from Ben at her office. Then when she comes down, she will be surprised by 2 ladies in red (Nik & I) carrying 24 red helium balloons, a card and gift for her.
24 balloons were meant to represent each year of her life, and he wanted her to make a wish and then, release the balloons in the air. As if each balloon were to carry her wish and message to the heavens. I know, I know, some of you maybe rolling your eyes, thinking it may sound kinda corny or cheesy, but hey, if you were in her shoes, and you just received a special gift from someone you care and love who is miles away and can't be there to celebrate this special day with you, I'm sure "corny" or "cheesy-ness" will be the last thing you would be thinking about at that moment.
The recipient, Janice (not her real name), was also just the sweetest thing. She really didn't suspect or expect anything at all and really thought she was just receiving a little something from the supposed "Ben's friend". Hehe. Good one Nik! She was the supposed "Ben's friend" by the way. :)
I wish I can show you Janice's expressions because it was just such a delight to see. Her look of surprise and shy-ness when she was reading through Ben's message in the card. And how she was also pleasantly surprised at the Pilot of a Day gift which was inside the gift box. And how she was just staring blissfully at the balloons flying up and disappearing in the skies, which I managed to take a video of. Hehe. It really was a beautiful thing releasing those balloons, despite the super strong wind at that time. Haha.
After months of tedious planning, jumping from idea to idea of presenting the delivery in a special way, testing out the initial ideas (remember Nik, Shiva? :P), countless email communication between Ben and RRD, pumping up 24 fat helium balloons and stuffing them in 2 cars; I believe all the effort was finally paid off because what really matters in the end, was them. And I could tell Janice was really so happy that evening till she even wanted a group hug and take pictures with us! :D And we are so glad that Ben was satisfied with our service too! You can read about his heartfelt story and feedback to us below.
Dear Nik,
I've received a call from Janice herself. Thank you and the RR crew for making this come true.
Well... After so much you guys have done, I couldn't say "No" to at least share the moment of joy that you've brought for the both of us.
The truth is...
Being 3000km away from home, it is not the easiest of task to keep in touch.
The distance was restricting me from expressing my feelings, limiting one's way of love ...
The distance, the career path I've chosen, the separate responsibility we each burden ourselves with, and the separation...makes life this moment... really heavy.
12th of April, the official birthday of the story of my life. It was this memorable day that
the complication begin, where happy memories sprouts...
I wouldn't miss it for the world. But career dictates that I were to remain put in a land very distant from hers.
This is not an advertisement... but words of the heart... that I am truly grateful for RedRibbon Days. I'm simply grateful because they were there. Weeks of correspondence, planning and brainstorming, made her felt my very presence and a birthday that would go into her story-to-tell-my-kids in the future.
Through the video RR has provided me, it allows me to share the moment, only at a different place of a different time. A digital documentation of her every expression, her every gesture and her every words... It's not difficult to tell how she was moved by all our efforts... a call came immediately after the surprise.
It was a complicated feeling. Feeling the sorrow from the distance ... and the sheer joy from the elaborated surprise... She was particular interested in our planning process though. The long trail of correspondence I had with Nik from RR, the well devised plan on how to trick the recipient to receive the gifts without causing too much commotion. Nik was particularly patient with me... and helpful in every way.
Due to my heavy workload... I could stay long on the phone with her...
She then text me... to express a magnitude of joy and gratefulness... and to tell me that she misses me...It was bittersweet.
The truth is...I miss her too.
Thank you Nik and RR... for bringing a part of me to her... and delivering a part of her... to me.
I've received a call from Janice herself. Thank you and the RR crew for making this come true.
Well... After so much you guys have done, I couldn't say "No" to at least share the moment of joy that you've brought for the both of us.
The truth is...
Being 3000km away from home, it is not the easiest of task to keep in touch.
The distance was restricting me from expressing my feelings, limiting one's way of love ...
The distance, the career path I've chosen, the separate responsibility we each burden ourselves with, and the separation...makes life this moment... really heavy.
12th of April, the official birthday of the story of my life. It was this memorable day that
the complication begin, where happy memories sprouts...
I wouldn't miss it for the world. But career dictates that I were to remain put in a land very distant from hers.
This is not an advertisement... but words of the heart... that I am truly grateful for RedRibbon Days. I'm simply grateful because they were there. Weeks of correspondence, planning and brainstorming, made her felt my very presence and a birthday that would go into her story-to-tell-my-kids in the future.
Through the video RR has provided me, it allows me to share the moment, only at a different place of a different time. A digital documentation of her every expression, her every gesture and her every words... It's not difficult to tell how she was moved by all our efforts... a call came immediately after the surprise.
It was a complicated feeling. Feeling the sorrow from the distance ... and the sheer joy from the elaborated surprise... She was particular interested in our planning process though. The long trail of correspondence I had with Nik from RR, the well devised plan on how to trick the recipient to receive the gifts without causing too much commotion. Nik was particularly patient with me... and helpful in every way.
Due to my heavy workload... I could stay long on the phone with her...
She then text me... to express a magnitude of joy and gratefulness... and to tell me that she misses me...It was bittersweet.
The truth is...I miss her too.
Thank you Nik and RR... for bringing a part of me to her... and delivering a part of her... to me.
..........
We made 2 people really happy that day. It's really not the kind of feeling anybody can give or I can describe even. But all I can say is, I felt genuinely happy for Ben and Janice that day. I too have had my share of going through a long distance relationship and I know, that LDRs are anything but easy.
I'm so glad that I can be part of bringing these 2 a lil closer maybe, despite the distance. And I'm so glad that my job involves bringing joy and expressions of love to other people's lives. Gifts really are powerful aren't they?
So believe me when I say, April 12, 2010 truly wasn't just another day, it was what we call as, a RedRibbon Day.
