Birthdays are meant to be joyful—a time filled with the warmth of friends, family, and laughter. But for some, it’s a day tinged with loneliness.
This was the case for a young girl whose quiet birthday could have gone unnoticed if not for the kindness of a stranger.
In a moving moment that captured thousands online, a 7-Eleven employee chose to step in, creating a small celebration that left a lasting impact on everyone who heard the story.
Ellisya, a 7-Eleven employee and TikTok user @ellisyayusoff_, was working her usual shift when she noticed a young Chinese girl enter the store.
The girl’s choice of items—a simple muffin and a small “light,” likely a candle—piqued Ellisya’s curiosity. Gently, she asked what the light was for.
The girl quietly responded that it was her birthday. Those words struck Ellisya, who realised this might be the only birthday “celebration” the girl would have.
Instead of merely ringing up her items, Ellisya made a choice that would mean the world to the young girl.
With a heart full of compassion, Ellisya took the small candle, lit it, and placed it on top of the muffin.
Then, without hesitation, she began to sing “Happy Birthday.”
The girl’s face lit up as she watched, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. In that instant, a lonely day transformed into something warm and unforgettable.
Curious and concerned, Ellisya asked if the girl had friends or family to celebrate with.
Her soft answer, that she planned to sing to herself, revealed a quiet strength but also the isolation she felt.
The simplicity of her plan—to sit alone with a candlelit muffin and wish herself a happy birthday—was heart-wrenching.
‘My heart sank‘
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Ellisya recalled what went through her mind when she heard that the girl planned to light the candle and sing herself “Happy Birthday.”
“My heart sank when I heard her say that,” Ellisya said.
“She told me she didn’t have any friends, so I decided to light the candle and sing to her myself. I felt the sadness she must have felt, not having anyone to celebrate her birthday with.”
‘I’ve never had friends celebrate my birthday either‘
When Ellisya shared this story on TikTok, it struck a chord with viewers. Many thanked her for her kindness, while others related to the young girl’s experience, reminiscing on their own lonely birthdays.
“This reminds me of school days when I’d save my lunch money each day, and on my birthday, I’d buy a small cake from the bakery. In class, my friends would laugh and ask whose birthday it was… I’d say it was mine.”
“Am I crying? I know you all are too, right? Thank you, kind person—this is so touching.”
“Happy Birthday, beautiful girl. I’ve never had friends celebrate my birthday either. Usually, I’m the one buying cakes for others’ birthdays. Now that I’m 32, I realise—why should I go out of my way for people who never do the same for me?”
Watch the clip here:
