Pay It Forward = AMAZING!!

Over the last few weeks, Levi and I took to social media to inspire others to join us in a fun pay it forward event. We asked people to donate towards a tip and dinner credit to giveaway to a local server and restaurant patrons. Check out our personal pay it forward inspiration here. With the chaos in the world on so many people’s minds, it seems a perfect time to offer compassion and support to our fellow humans.

And let me say that you all were simply amazing!! Thank you!! Together we accumulated $250. The perfect amount to tip our server $100 and have enough left over to give three different people $50 off their tab.

Levi and I met while working in the service industry over 13 years ago. So we thought it quintessential to make our anniversary night out the evening to gift the donations you all so generously set our way. Starting the evening over a flight of beers the two of us signed cards with the names of everyone who donated and chatted about how we would know who was supposed to be on the receiving end of this pay it forward. Turns out our questioning was in vain. It was so completely obvious as the night progressed who was going to receive the money.

We chose a table, setting down our beers at the brewery. A patron immediately came over. He handed me a sanitizing wipe informing me of the fact that the table we were about to sit at had yet to be cleaned, that a group had just left. He sure could have continued to sit and enjoy his drink with his group of friends, but he saw we were about to sit in a place that was not sanitized and made sure we were safe. Little did he know that simple action was going to result in $50 off his tab.

After our drink, we walked down the street a few blocks to treat ourselves to sushi, because who doesn’t love sushi? Our waitress, with her cute little baby belly, was super attentive from the moment she brought us our menus.

We watched the interactions at tables all around us, while waiting for our dinner to arrive. One woman caught my eye pretty quickly. When her waiter came over to take their order she was extremely genuine and caring towards him. The waiter had been busy running around and it appeared as though he had perhaps forgotten to take their drink order. The woman asked if he was stressed, having an ok evening, and shrugged off the delay with a smile. She continued to smile and speak so compassionately to her waiter and dinner partner.

Another booth was packed full of a family of five. The little ones were laughing, not at all into sitting still. Of course, one of the boys spilled their drink all over the table. I could see the stress on the father’s face. I have been there, hasn’t every parent? When all you want is to sit still and enjoy a nice dinner out without crazy town, known as your kids. These parents deserved a little kindness too.

I found our waitress out of earshot of the others in the restaurant to explain we wanted to prepay for two tables. Asking if we knew them I explained our pay it forward gesture of kindness. She was blown away. (Oh man, I couldn’t wait for her to get her tip) I gave her the cards to include with the tab when the patrons received their bill. As she handed them both out, I have to admit it was hard not to stare and watch the reactions. They all looked so confused while looking at their bill trying to understand what just happened. Then as they opened their card, the joy and thankfulness poured all over their faces.

Having gotten so much out of paying the tabs, I wanted Levi to experience the same feeling. He gave our waitress her card with the $100 tip. She was beyond gracious. She must have told us 10 times that she was going to pay it forward and pass it along, and thanked us immensely.

Thanks to all of you that donated. Together we were able to make a difference in multiple peoples lives last weekend. We brought a bright light to others during this crazy time in our world.

One of the biggest lessons I learned: Kindness is everywhere, just look for it! As Levi and I spoke about how we would know who exactly to give the cards to during the evening, we had no idea just how easy it would be. We were unsure about how we were going to pick, but there was no reason to wonder. All we had to do was focus on looking for kindness, and it was in our presence the entire evening.

On our walk back to the car after having one too many sushi rolls, Levi and I reminisced on what we had just been able to do. We both simultaneously said, “We should make this a tradition.” Instead of giving each other a gift on our anniversary we have decided to gift to others. We truly did receive so much by giving.

Paying it forward was quite a success. I am already looking forward to next year. Thank you again to everyone. XOXOX Levi + Kileigh