Never underestimate the power of a random act of kindness.
Mackenzie Mauller of Union Town, Ohio is an aspiring pilot studying flight technology at Kent State University. The 19 year-old young lady was in line at the drive-thru at her local Starbucks when she decided to perform a random act of kindness. When it was her turn to pay at the window, she asked the cashier if she could pay for the car behind her, too.
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In the car behind her was Nicole Clawson, a wife and mother who was blown away when she got to the window and found that her tab had been paid. As she drove down the street, she realized she was still behind Mackenzie’s car, so she decided to watch where she parked so that she and her kids could practice that time-honored tradition of writing a thank you note for the kind deed.
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“It’s been hard because I am no longer providing income, but I decided to buy coffee for myself and breakfast for the kids,” Nicole later said. “An employee at the order window said my coffee had been paid for — I was shocked.”
As it turns out, Mackenzie and Nicole lived in the same neighborhood! Nicole and her kids carefully wrote out a letter, describing what Mackenzie’s simple act of goodness had done to lift their spirits.
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“Thank you for the coffee. I rarely go to Starbucks and treat myself but the last couple of months have been a bit of a struggle,” Nicole’s note began. She then explained that she has been going through a tough time lately. Her father recently passed away, leaving her struggling to find child care for her kids. Her babysitter had called in sick that day, so she had to take the day off from work. Although money is tight, she had decided to treat herself and the kids to Starbucks — and that’s when Mackenzie’s good deed happened.
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“I cried when I found out you were so sweet to buy my coffee,” Nicole wrote, “and thrilled to see you pull in a couple houses down from where I live. I felt it necessary for you to know that what you did for me was more than just a coffee. It was something that has turned my whole day around, put tears in my eyes and a smile on my face and I feel so grateful.”
When Mackenzie found the note in her mailbox, she too was moved to tears. “Strangers have bought me coffee in the past, and I always wished I could have thanked them,” she explained. Bolstered by Nicole’s gratitude, Mackenzie shared the note and her experience on Twitter, where the post soon went viral.
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“Yesterday I bought coffee for the lady behind me at Starbucks…later in the day I found this [in] my mailbox. Small acts can make a big difference folks, spread some kindness.”
Even Starbucks themselves retweeted the post, reiterating that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of love, kindness, and understanding to brighten someone’s day.
Yesterday I bought coffee for the lady behind me at Starbucks.. later in the day I found this is my mailbox. Small acts can make a big difference folks, spread some kindness. pic.twitter.com/awNi4LSGJq
— Mackenzie (@mackey2399) August 7, 2018
Mackenzie later went door-to-door to track down Nicole, and as soon as the right door opened, the two women embraced in a big, tight hug. Strangers from the internet have sent her about $150, which she spent on a Starbucks gift card for Nicole so that she can go get coffee without feeling a bit of guilt from now on. The college student also offered to babysit for Nicole.
It sounds like this act of kindness was just the beginning of what will be a beautiful friendship. “Now my kids want to pay it forward,” Nicole said. “Mackenzie makes me proud as a mom.”
Please share this story to inspire others to pay it forward today too.