Frustrated Mom Asks for To-Go Box When Toddler Won't Sit Still, But Server Sits at Table
If you’re a mother, you know the feeling well. You’re sitting at a restaurant, excited to eat food that you didn’t have to prepare yourself, and your toddler decides it’s a perfect time to practice their sprints.
Courtney Ruth Pedigo was living out this scenario on Oct. 1, 2018.
“Tonight my family and I went out to Olive Garden for dinner, and per Harlynn’s usual she did everything but sit in her high chair and eat her dinner like I picture in my dreams,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Little Harlynn just wanted to run her little heart out so Pedigo began to search for her waitress, Nianni Nani Rudder; The tired mother just wanted a to-go box so that she could enjoy the rest of her meal in the car.
Rudder’s response, however, completely shocked Pedigo.
“She really said NO. ‘You’re going to go sit down and enjoy your dinner and I will be there to sit with her!’” Pedigo wrote.
The selfless waitress then prepared a bowl of ice cream, complete with caramel syrup, and continued to occupy the rowdy toddler while Pedigo was able to enjoy her meal.
Rudder’s small act of kindness meant everything to the young mother.
“Girl, you will never truly know how appreciative I am for tonight. I seriously admire you, Not only because you took the time to bribe my bratty little human with sweets so I could eat but because you are so so strong,” Pedigo wrote.
“I aspire to be the go getter you are and like I told my dad on our way home it has to take someone with a strong heart and mind to do what you do bc I know I couldn’t!”
Pedigo’s Facebook post thanking Rudder for incredibly kind act has since gone viral. Over 4,000 people have reacted to the post, but Rudder continues to remain humble.
In her own post, Rudder said, “I didn’t intend on going ‘viral’, I didn’t help my guest to go ‘viral.'”
“I did what I would want for someone to do for me if I was in that situation. People need to be more compassionate with one another. Anyone with a heart would have done the same.”
Rudder’s selfless actions are an inspiration to us all to lend a helping hand to those around us. You never know how much of an impact you’ll make.
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