We gathered seven moments from the Echo archives of people having the best days thanks to kind-hearted friends and relatives.
Some of them got extra special birthday gifts, in 1985 and 2014. Others had surprise visitors in 1972 and 2003, and one USA couple even got a Wearside wedding reception they were not expecting in 2008.
Intrigued? Read on.
1. A selection of super surprises
Some of the loveliest surprises that Sunderland people have received in the past. | se
2. A big surprise for the boss
Nurseryman H W Groves, centre, dumped these bikes in 1931. But unbeknown to him, two of his workers - Thomas Whale and Ronnie Simpson - rescued them years later and gave Mr Groves a surprise reunion in 1951. | se
3. Tickled by Doddy's visit
Comedian Ken Dodd had a surprise meeting with his biggest fan - his aunt - when he called at a Durham City store in 1972. Annie Boyd, who lived in Whinney Hill, Durham was the sister of Mr Dodd's father, and moved to Durham two years earlier. | se
4. Bill's birthday in Springwell
Bill Barrass was 40 in September 1985 and the Springwell butcher by trade was given a special gift for his big day. It was a visit by Daisy the Cow - aka Julie Tuckwell and Chris Duxbury - arranged by Bill's wife Carol. | se