Crying Woman Honoring Fallen Marine Leaves Note for Next Customer That Chokes Up Barista
Free coffee may just be one of life’s greatest joys. Stepping up to the counter to learn the person in front of you paid for your drink warms the heart even more than the fresh cup of Joe.
So imagine what would happen if that gifted cup of goodness came with a special meaning — one that inspired you to pay it forward.
For a coffee shop on the Jersey Shore, paying it forward turned into a major trend after one woman left a note with a special request.
The baristas at Coffee Tyme in Cape May had no idea what was coming when one of their regular customers came in on what probably started out like a normal Saturday.
“One of our favorite regulars walked in to order her usual. I noticed it was taking her a little longer to order her drink so I glanced over and saw that she was crying,” the coffee shop shared on Facebook.
The reason behind this customer’s tears will melt your heart.
“She explained to me that her best friend growing up just recently lost her husband… while he was serving as a Marine in Afghanistan,” the post explained.
Sadly, the 43-year-old U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and FDNY Firefighter Christopher Slutman was killed by a roadside bomb attack on April 8, 2019, WABC-TV reported. He is survived by his wife Shannon and their 3 daughters.
Coffee Tyme’s story goes on to say that “whenever [Chris] and his buddies would go out to a coffee shop, his friends would all get black coffee and he would always get a big pink smoothie with extra whipped cream on it.”
The customer left a postcard explaining the situation along with a $10 bill and asked the barista to present it to the next customer.
“She explained that she wanted to do something in his memory and she thought what better way than to buy someone’s fun drink (like a big frozen drink with whipped cream!),” the post went on.
“She wanted us to hand this card to them so they could also carry out a random act of kindness in his honor. Throughout the day, this one beautiful gesture became something even more beautiful.”
The money left by the customer was used to treat a couple with a baby. They were so touched that they paid it forward, too.
On and on it went all day. Not only was the team at Coffee Tyme “blown away,” they also hoped that anyone who reads Chris’ story will be inspired to show random kindness to someone else.
The post ended with a verse from John 15:13 — “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
What a beautiful way to remember and honor a man who sacrificed everything. Our hearts are with his family.
We are thankful for people like this kind customer who take the time to show a little love and pay it forward along the way.
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