In the course of your life, you never know whom you’ll meet and who will stay by your side forever. This is both fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time.
A UK-based journalist, Joe Wallen, never knew he will meet an Indian auto-driver who would register a permanent place in his heart.
On his visit to India last December, Wallen randomly took an autorickshaw in Mumbai to drive down to Jio World. On their first day, both Wallen and the auto driver named Shaan vibed well and since then, Shaan drove him wherever he wanted to go. Neither of them knew it was the start of the ‘most beautiful and unexpected friendship’.
Taking to Twitter, Wallen shared about their unique friendship and revealed that Shaan requested him to be the godfather of his son who was born recently.
“Today, his wife gave birth to a son. He’s called the baby Yusuf – the Urdu for Joseph – and, asked me to be godfather.”
Last December, I got in a random rickshaw at Jio World. It was the start of the most beautiful & unexpected friendship – Shaan has driven me every day since. Today, his wife gave birth to a son. He’s called the baby Yusuf – the Urdu for Joseph – and, asked me to be god father pic.twitter.com/PV0kvJXJMJ
— Joe Wallen (@joerwallen) December 18, 2022
In the following tweet, Wallen thanked everyone who helped Shaan and his wife as she had a difficult pregnancy and is living in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh.
We are just so very happy. It was such a difficult pregnancy – Shaan’s wife lives in a small village in remote Uttar Pradesh and had a lot of complications. Quite a few of you on here helped her get medical treatment when she needed it – thank you!
— Joe Wallen (@joerwallen) December 18, 2022
Wallen was elated to be the godfather of Shaan’s son, Yusuf Mubarak Ali. Sharing the picture of the newborn, he wrote:
Did not have being a godfather to a newborn in Uttar Pradesh on my bingo card for this year but here he is, Yusuf Mubarak Ali – shared with permission of Dad
We hope he will play cricket for India one day 🇮🇳🇮🇳🏏🏏 pic.twitter.com/bQBj2jE4tg
— Joe Wallen (@joerwallen) December 18, 2022
People online were touched by their friendship. Many also congratulated him on the arrival of his godson.
Fantastic! Wear your responsibility well as I’m sure you will. You must write about this wonderful tale too surely? ❤️
— Saptarshi Ray (@Saptarshi_Ray) December 18, 2022
Congrats to Shaan! A day of celebration!
— Samaan Lateef (@Samaanlateef) December 18, 2022
Joe, are you based on mumbai, India? Congratulations to Yusuf’s father and mother and best wishes to you to be a great god father.
— Ajay S (@Harry3275) December 18, 2022
How wonderful! Congrats to Shaan and his wife on their new arrival. Being a godparent is a very special relationship, you’ll gain so much from it.
— Sian Mexsom (@sianmexsom) December 18, 2022
Congratulations to Shaan and his Wife on their new arrival. Pass my blessings to baby Yusuf Mubarak Ali.🎉🎉🎉
— Junaid Dar (@Akhbarwoul) December 18, 2022
How poignant is that. Fate sometimes takes us to the most unexpected and beautiful places. So happy for all of you. Love and hugs to little baby Yusuf from here in ol’ Blighty.
— Modis Operandi (@kam_bakth) December 18, 2022
Friendship is one ship which will never sink❤️ god bless
— The new Bharat Army (@vaspar78) December 19, 2022
How lovely! So nice to read something positive on Twitter! Absolutely heartwarming 🙂
— Juhi Hingorani (@juhi_h) December 18, 2022
Beautiful .. congratulations to Shaan, his wife and you as well for the Lil bundle of joy..God bless Yousuf sahab❤️
— दिल-ओ-दिमाग़ (@shaiz_princess) December 18, 2022
This made me happy!
— shafern (@ShafiqFndz) December 18, 2022
This is such a sweet gesture from Shaan to strengthen the bond that he shares with Wallen.