While celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary is always special, it was made even more beautiful for one couple. Paul and Dawn Molineux, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2023, decided to have an intimate dinner at Hickory’s Smokehouse in Southport, UK, before the big party. Although the couple thought there would be no surprises at their private dinner for two, the restaurant’s gesture moved them to tears.

Make someone happy on their 50th wedding anniversary

Paul and Dawn Molineux met when they were just 14 and 16. Their story began when they went on a blind date together and eventually got married. They celebrated their 50th birthday on August 29, 2023. Since Paul had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, the couple wanted to make the most of this milestone.

“I can honestly say I can count the number of arguments we’ve had over these 50 years on one hand. The diagnosis is difficult but we laugh about it,” 68-year-old Paul, who runs an aquarium business, told local news station Liverpool ECHO.

He explained that the couple had three adult children and that they had planned a big birthday party for him at the end of the month.

“We are determined to live life to the fullest and we have plans for a big anniversary party in Southport. People will come from all over,” Paul told the news channel.

Although they had planned a big party, they decided to celebrate the occasion with a meal at Hickory’s Smokehouse.

Assuming it would be a private affair, the couple went into the restaurant and were greeted by a sign. They were then shown to their seats by waiter James Davies, who spoke to them about their anniversary and how they met. Davies had also learned of Paul’s diagnosis, which had been made in January.

“We went to Hickory’s in Southport to eat on our 50th wedding anniversary. When we booked the table they asked if it was special so we said it was our anniversary,” Paul told the Liverpool ECHO.

After the couple had dinner and asked for the bill, they didn’t know they were in for a surprise. When the couple picked up the bill and looked at it, they realized that the restaurant had already paid for the meal. There was also a cute little note on the bill that said, “Happy Anniversary.”

“We were speechless. We had to go and find the guy. We said, ‘This is a joke, right?'” Paul said. Their bill came to nearly £80 (about $100). That’s when they learned that Davies wasn’t a waiter at all, but had been assistant manager for about six weeks at the time. He told the couple that he had been touched by their story and inspired by Paul’s courage and ongoing battle with cancer.