Tonight was one of those nights that reminded me just how much a little kindness can mean to…read moresomeone.
Today we made the nearly two-hour drive to Elmira to watch my son play football. We got to watch him play, his team won, and we were all happy... but by halfway through the game, my 16-month-old twins were OVER IT.
By the time the game ended, everyone was starving, the boys were exhausted, and I was already dreading the long drive home.
Against my better judgment, we decided to attempt a sit-down dinner at Long Tom Bar & Grill.
And let me tell you, I was questioning my sanity.
One of my twins is EXTREMELY active, currently cutting molars, running on absolutely no nap, overstimulated, hungry, and just plain DONE with the day. Honestly, I couldn't blame him. I was right there with him.
But then we met the absolute sweetest waitress.
You know those servers who just have it? The genuine smile, the jokes, the patience, the refills without having to ask, and the ability to make you feel welcome even when you're sitting there with two exhausted toddlers and wondering why you ever left your house?
She was THAT person.
Throughout dinner, I had gotten up several times to walk my little guy outside so he wouldn't disturb everyone else while we were trying to eat.
Eventually, when we were sitting back down, she came over, and my son immediately reached his little arms out to her.
She first politely asked if she could touch his hands. When he kept reaching for her to pick him up, she asked me if that was okay.
ABSOLUTELY.
And without hesitation, she scooped him up.
During a little downtime, she played with him, taught him some sign language, introduced him to the kitchen staff, and had my cranky, overtired little boy laughing and smiling like he'd known her forever.
And for about five minutes, I got to just sit there. Eat my food. Breathe. Not chase a toddler, not worry about him crying, not feel like I was disrupting someone's dinner.
Five minutes.
It probably meant absolutely nothing to her. Just a sweet little interaction with a baby during her shift.
But to this exhausted mama, those five minutes meant more than she could possibly know.
Sometimes people don't realize how much their smallest acts of kindness can change someone else's entire day.
So, to the wonderful waitress working the restaurant side of Long Tom Bar & Grill tonight, I wish I would've caught your name.
Thank you for your patience, your kindness, your humor, and for going so far above and beyond for a family who was just trying to survive dinner after a very long day.
You didn't have to do any of that. But you did.
And I hope whoever is lucky enough to employ you knows what an absolute gem they have.
The food was great, but YOU are the reason I'll remember that stop.
And from one very tired mama, thank you for giving me five minutes of peace and my little boy five minutes of pure happiness.