After more than a year apart, Brooke Spann knew exactly where she needed to be, right in the middle of a family celebration.

Having moved to the U.S. in 2018, Brooke grew up in a close-knit family of seven in Melbourne. When she learned they would be gathering in Bali to celebrate her aunt’s 50th birthday, she planned to give them a surprise.

Traveling 19.5 hours from California to Bali, she booked a quiet night in an Airbnb before setting her plan into motion. With the help of her driver, Putu, she hid inside a Starbucks at the airport, waiting for her family to walk by.

The moment played out perfectly. As they strolled past, she emerged, catching them completely off guard.

I moved to the USA in 2018 and grew up in a very close family of 7 in Melbourne. I knew my family would be in Bali this week celebrating my aunties 50th so I decided to surprise them. I travelled 19.5 hours from California to Bali, stayed a night in an Airbnb and drove back to the airport first thing in the morning to surprise them when they arrived. I made a plan with my driver Putu to hide in Starbucks and wait for them to walk by! Plan worked out pretty well and it was the best moment to hug them for the first time in over a year.