Missouri (USA) - Bryan Durkos (41) wanted to surprise his father-in-law with a cake. What the American experienced when he picked it up at the bakery was simply heart-warming.

As the 41-year-old reported on the Reddit platform, his wife's father had made his way from New Jersey to Missouri to visit his daughter and grandson.

As the visit happened to coincide with his father-in-law's 70th birthday, Durkos wanted to make him happy and ordered a cake from a bakery.

When the American picked up the creamy dream in the store, he was in for a surprise. The sales clerk told him that he didn't have to pay for the cake - another customer who had been in the store shortly before him had already paid for it.

Durkos was amazed and could hardly believe his luck. A little later, he realized that that wasn't all.

There was a handwritten note on the cake box. The message from the unknown woman had it all: "Today is my daughter's 35th birthday. She is in heaven. When you blow out the candles, make a wish for her."

When Durkos read the lines, he felt quite different. "I stopped and read it again and got goosebumps - I'm not an emotional person, but it made me cry," the 41-year-old told Newsweek.

Back at home, Durkos told his family about the unexpected experience. His father-in-law was speechless at first, but later said a short prayer for the woman in heaven. "It really touched him," said the American.

After the birthday boy had left again, Durkos was seized by curiosity. He asked in the bakery whether the nice woman had left a name and searched Google for obituaries in Missouri. His goal: to track down the stranger and say thank you. A wasted effort so far, unfortunately.