Sitting in Taco Bell today, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of a group of young boys stumbling into the air-conditioned restaurant. Their laughter was loud, their smiles wide, and their eyes bright with the simple excitement of craving a taco. They ran toward a table, all four of them, but as I watched, I noticed something curious: only one boy actually ordered food. The other three sat quietly, scanning the menu with hungry glances, talking amongst themselves about school, girls, video games, and a dozen other topics that seemed to spill from their minds all at once.

Time passed, and their chatter filled the small space around them. It was the kind of innocent, exuberant energy that reminded me of the joy of being young—full of curiosity, friendship, and simple pleasures. And then it happened.

From the corner of the restaurant, a man—a towering presence, at least 6’5”—stood up. The boys stiffened, unsure of what to expect. He walked slowly, purposefully, toward their table. I could see them shrink back slightly, caught between fear and curiosity.

And then the words came, soft but commanding: “Y’all want a slushie? Come on up here, let’s get you guys something.”

The boys’ faces lit up immediately. They jumped from their chairs, rushing to the counter with uncontainable excitement. And the surprise didn’t end there. The gentle giant not only offered them slushies but also told the cashier to add food for the boys’ meal. He didn’t linger for thanks or recognition—he just wanted them to be fed and happy.

He swiped his card, gave a quick nod, and jogged out the back door, disappearing toward his semi parked beside the building. But in that fleeting moment, he had left an imprint far larger than the restaurant walls could hold. The boys, now armed with tacos, slushies, and candy, erupted with joyous laughter. They yelled a hearty “Thank you!” in unison, their voices full of genuine gratitude, even as he was already moving down the road.

I watched silently, heart full, and nodded to him. He acknowledged the gesture with a raised hand, that simple human connection between two strangers—one acting selflessly, the other witnessing it.

Today, Love and Kindness looked like a 12-pack of soft tacos, three Starburst Freezes, and the generosity of a stranger who didn’t ask for recognition, who didn’t linger for applause, who simply saw a need and filled it. Today, a group of young boys went home full—not just with food in their stomachs, but with a reminder that the world, sometimes, is bigger, warmer, and kinder than you think.