My Secret Valentine

I had to share this story as my civil duty to restore faith in humanity. I admit myself, especially living in NYC, that I don’t see a lot of genuine kindness throughout the day.  Ride with me in the city for a few minutes dodging cabs and you’ll find yourself signing up for anger management classes.

Claudio was in Dallas for work all week, so I decided to drive to Pittsburgh and visit everyone instead of staying at home alone for 4 days. I was also in need of a mini vacation to revive and recharge outside of the city.  Maximo went HAM (see definition in the Jay -Z and Kayne song here) everyday playing with so many kiddies I swear I need to start a daycare back in NYC now to keep him happy all day!

Claudio was landing back in NYC on Valentine’s Day evening, so we decided to drive back and meet him too since Maximo was missing his papi. The drive itself isn’t bad if you can break it up in the middle with a pit stop to swap a diaper and get some more gas and food. So when I saw Cracker Barrel coming up on the next exit, I didn’t think twice about making it my pit stop (if you know me, I pretty much stop anytime I see a Cracker Barrel, even if I just ate!)  Dom – EAR MUFFS!! (that’s my trainer. He won’t be happy to know I stopped at CB).

I don’t notice until AFTER we sit down that all the tables surrounding us are STARING. Like uncomfortable staring. Then I realize – F. It’s Valentine’s Day. And I am sitting alone, with my infant son, and they are all looks of pity. I am pretty sure I even saw the one ladies eyes glistening with tears.

I am also sitting there FOR A WHILE before the waitress comes up and finally says, are you still waiting? No hunnie, it’s just me. The look of shock and sorriness overcomes here. She thinks she’s really offended me. And if I really WAS SINGLE, yeah that would be like taking a knife. But I am not, and I explain simply that we are traveling back to NYC.

It’s also the middle of NO WHERE PA, so as I am used to sitting alone to eat all the time in NYC, these people all probably think I am REALLY alone, and decided to suck it up and go to eat with Maximo, even though there is no man in my life. I am pretty sure not having a ring on my finger added to the sympathy votes.

Claudio is flying somewhere over Maryland with WIFI on his way back to NYC as well, so I text him about the situation and how silly I feel. Then I tell him how I see one of the tables call the waitress over and whisper something in her ear. I tell him I just KNOW it’s about me.

Sure enough once they leave, the waitress comes over to my table and lays my bill down saying someone paid for my meal this evening. My exact words to her? SHUT THE FUCK UP. (I think this was the same expression I told the NFL when they sent me to the super bowl, so I know my chance at politics is out – they would have to mute me anytime I was on television).

I was literally speechless. As I felt a little guilty because I truly am not single, it was really nice to know that someone was watching and thought I was a great mom from a far. And as a mom, a strangers approval speaks volumes.

I left the waitress the full bill plus tip as a tip to #payitforward, and was back on the road.

I just think it’s am important lesson to remember that 1. you never know who’s watching, and 2. simple random acts of kindness can restore your faith in humanity, and 3. sometimes it takes a stranger to remind us to slow down and appreciate the little things in life that make it worth living. Like Maximo spending his first Valentine’s Day with me – he truly was ‘the best Valentine I have ever had.’