Going out to eat with an baby/toddler is hard. JJ is 9 months old, and he is starting to HATE car seats, walkers, and high chairs. He wants freedom! Haha. Anyways, this makes it really difficult to take him out to eat sometimes. It’s like Russian Roulette Baby Edition! You either get a chill child who will sit in the high chair and eat, or you get a child that is squealing, trying to stand up in the high chair, and reaching for everything on the table. The other night, we got the second one..
Last Friday night it was rainy, and I didn’t feel like cooking so Javier and I decided to go to one of our favorite diners. We usually sit in the back corner of the restaurant so we don’t have all eyes on us if JJ starts squealing or something. We sat down near an older couple. We exchanged smiles with them, and they waved at JJ, but we really didn’t acknowledge each other after that.
We got situated at our table, put JJ in the high chair, and we ordered our food. We ordered our meals and a side of peas for JJ. JJ did not even last until our food came out to start trying to get out of the high chair. He was super wiggly and antsy. For the whole meal, we had to take turns holding him and eating. He’s a handful! I even stood up with him for a couple minutes to keep him from whining so much. It was kind of our fault for going out to eat during JJ’s nap time.
We kept a good attitude with JJ. We were even laughing at how crazy going out to eat with a almost toddler can be. You just have to be patient when it comes to babies. He kept dropping his peas on the floor and grabbing at our plates. I almost regretted going out after awhile honestly. It can be pretty embarrassing when your kid acts up in public.
When we got done eating, I went to go pay. They usually put the check on the table, but I could not find it. I was about halfway to the cash register when our waitress met me halfway to tell me that the older couple that sat behind us during most of our meal had paid for our food. I felt so special. I suddenly felt happy that we had gone out. I went back to our table, and I told Javier. He was really surprised because we barely had talked to them.
I wish I knew those people personally so I could thank them. They made our night! I don’t know if they did it because they noticed our struggle or because they were just good people. Either way, I wish I could tell them thank you for paying it forward! ❤️
*JJ on a different day at Burger King being a good boy!*
8 replies on “Thank You For Paying It Forward!”
What a sweet story. It’s so nice when you are on the receiving end of random acts of kindness. Makes you believe that there is still goodness in people.
It’s the small surprises of kindness that have the biggest impact!
Such a lovely gesture by that couple. You guys sound like you make the best of it and had such a great attitude.
You’re so right about it being like Russian Roulette! Hubby and I used to also take turns holding our baby while we ate at restaurants. We have three kids now and we opt to just order take out lol
Ahh I love when people are so kind to others! Nothing better than feeling like people really see you and your situation rather than judging it. So sweet!
There truly is nothing like kindness! We need more of this.
No one has ever paid it forward for us, but I love reading all these stories of others who’ve had this happen to them. I hope to be able to do it for others when we are more financially stable! It’s a blessing to be able to help others, especially when you can see that they may be struggling a bit.
That is precious! I love stories like this! Thanks for sharing!
So sweet! I’ve paid for the meal of an elderly woman that I saw dining alone and quietly crying at her table. I didn’t know her story but I still remember her all these years later. I bet y’all made their day. After a recent conversation with my 80 year old grandparents, I think people often wish for those young family years (just maybe minus the sleepless nights and crying toddlers at restaurants)!