Elderly Woman Meets Unlikely Best Friend While Eating at Chick-Fil-A
Sometimes when we’re trying to make friends, we look for people with similar tastes and preferences. In other words, we seek out people who seem a lot like ourselves.
But life has a way of teaching us that enduring friendships aren’t necessarily defined by opinions, race, gender, or age.
Sometimes, two spirits simply sense and understand that they were meant to be connected.
Ruby Hayes and Brenden Robinson might tell you something similar. And they would gladly explain — if they weren’t so focused on waiting for the next pair of letters and numbers to be called.
At the Dallas-area Chick-fil-A restaurant where these two play bingo every Thursday morning, they’re known affectionately as “Miss Ruby” and “her little man.” Hayes is 91 years old; Robinson is 6.
For roughly a decade, this Waxahachie Chick-fil-A has been the standing location for a group of friends who enjoy weekly bingo games while dining and catching up.
Miss Ruby generally sits in her customary spot near the center of the restaurant, perched contentedly beside a chicken biscuit and small coffee.
About a year ago, Miss Ruby was playing when a diminutive redhead appeared to ask if he could join in.
“I was just marking my bingo card,” she explained to Chick-fil-A staff members, “when the sweetest little face popped up out of nowhere.”
Miss Ruby and her companions welcomed the boy immediately, and he eagerly pulled up a chair. Thus began a beautiful partnership.
Robinson’s mother affectionately describes her son as “an old soul.” Watching the weekly proceedings, it’s certainly clear that he seems to fit in seamlessly.
And according to Mom, her boy has “pretty much never” skipped a single game since that initial invitation. “He doesn’t want to miss any time with Miss Ruby,” she explains.
When the restaurant closed for a month due to remodeling, the pair still met up regularly. The gallant young Robinson brings Miss Ruby flowers on her birthday — and when he wins a round of bingo, the prize he selects is often for her.
When asked to describe Miss Ruby, the youngster doesn’t even hesitate. “My best friend bingo player,” he proclaims enthusiastically.
“I think Brenden doesn’t see age,” notes his mother. “He just sees love.”
Pondering life and the path to more meaningful relationships? Sounds like we’ve all just heard the winning combination.
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