The story of an unexpected friendship between a nail technician and her customer is causing quite a few social media users to have watery eyes. 21-year-old Siam Saracino's story of meeting and befriending Bian, a Vietnamese nail tech, has a beautiful but sad ending as Bian sends Saracino a heartfelt goodbye before leaving the country.
In his now viral tweet, Saracino posted a text he received from Bian:
u guys my old nail tech lady turned good friend just texted me this & im really in tears wow 😢😢😢 https://t.co/4H1O36InUq— siham (@siham) 1533410192.0
The pair's friendship had an awkward start. Desperately in need of a mani/pedi, Saracino stumbled through several appointments where communication wasn't easy:
For the first four appointments there were barely any interaction other than the basic "How are you?" and the occasional semi awkward laughs when I would try to speak to her in English. Me attempting to speak Vietnamese also didn't work. We started making those small conversations longer and longer, and I don't remember when, but one day Bian just started speaking fluent English.
you ever felt so proud of somebody for overcoming all the horrible obstacles & now they’re finally doing good? this… https://t.co/ZEw0zTqLSI— siham (@siham) 1533410510.0
Before long, they were discussing anything and everything:
She was there for it all and she would tell me about her past and thoughts. It's rare to have a friendship like ours. I don't have one friendship that is quite comparable.
you guys what did i do to deserve this. i’m trying to hold back the water works 😣😩😭 pree how he gave me a CROP TOP?… https://t.co/7ILgqFKv6g— siham (@siham) 1533766679.0
Siam began visiting Bian outside the salon, and even helped her son learn English!
@realzayna i used to go to her house n help out with the school work n she treated me so well i’m dead crying on this plane BRUV— siham (@siham) 1533410545.0
When Bian reached out to tell Siam she was leaving London to open her own Salon elsewhere, Saracino was sad, but knew it would not put an end to their friendship:
Keeping in touch is definitely going to be easy. I plan on visiting Vietnam as well, so part two is pending.
@realzayna love you i’d facetime you but the plane wifi is shitty so i’ll call you when i’m in mykonos 😘😘😘— siham (@siham) 1533411709.0
@juniperjuno yea but really it was all her. i didn’t do much in that department she’s just showing humility like she always is— siham (@siham) 1533455385.0
Such a loving friendship is one of life's most valuable finds.
@Joannelicious uhm!!!! FOR SURE! i’m definitely visiting her lol i’m not stranger to southeast asia 😍😍😍— siham (@siham) 1533515344.0
@PsighYam @geekyhawt everything about this is so precious omg https://t.co/c6jW2Xu6cu— n t x h i (@n t x h i) 1533486354.0
Twitter had a lot of trouble keeping it together while reading Bian and Siam's story.
@PsighYam @strawberryjamal this is beautiful omg— لينا (@لينا) 1533450281.0
@PsighYam Just here while it rains inside my eyelids...— Masterpiece Mastering Peace (@Masterpiece Mastering Peace) 1533529297.0
Some people even went so far as to post pictures of their tears...which is totally normal.
@PsighYam @Rudemouthh https://t.co/sGUdMci0Ne— sleepy✨ (@sleepy✨) 1533490568.0
@PsighYam @nokiakilla i’m.... not crying.... https://t.co/w96CsOy94b— segaroc fan account (@segaroc fan account) 1533441135.0
According to Siam, Bian's new salon is opening next month—make your appointments now!
@PsighYam omG this is so pure and sweet !!! https://t.co/CYCSTkvV8E— 🔴 (@🔴) 1533767152.0
@PsighYam Social media only sees the sassy side of you but they never know that you’re one of the precious, generou… https://t.co/VDDUBkK4Nk— Haramkan Nikah Bawah Umur (@Haramkan Nikah Bawah Umur) 1533774911.0
Hopefully, someday, we can all find a friendship as pure as the one between Siam and Bian.
H/T - Teen Vogue, The Things