Random Act of Kindness

With a syntax midterm looming, a non-compliant toddler on my hands, and a really long week behind me, today was not turning out to be a good day at all. I was so stressed! After dropping Ian off at daycare, I decided to go through the new Starbuck's drive-thru to get some coffee to perk me up a little keep me from going insane.

As I drove into the parking lot, I was thrilled to see that the line looked empty. I was in a hurry. As I got closer, I saw a car sitting a little bit back from the order screen. When I pulled up, they pulled closer to order. I was honestly relieved. I figured they had been looking at a text or a paper or something - at least they were paying attention to the fact that there was someone behind them in line.

Then they took forever to order. Or at least what felt like forever. I was getting a little irritated, but I tried to think patient thoughts. They probably didn't take more than an extra couple of minutes and I was able to place my order. As I pulled around the side of the building, I realized their complicated order might take a while. Ugg! I didn't want to be late. Fortunately, it wasn't too long before they were off. I pulled up to the window and the drive-thru guy ignored me for a full minute! He was standing there, holding what I presumed to be my drink, and talking to some people. *fume, fume, fume* Finally, he opened the window and I handed him my card that I had ready.

Or at least I tried to. He greeted me with a smile and told me that the person in front of me had paid for my coffee and left a note for me. Wow! I was definitely not expecting that! And that little random act of kindness was well worth the extra three minutes I had to wait in line. That person had been waiting for someone to show up behind them so they could buy someone's coffee and make their day brighter. And I absolutely, positively needed that today.

So thank you drive-thru stranger, wherever you are. You made my day!