Leif, my son, has autism. Like many children on the spectrum, he has specific routines, preferences, and often becomes fixated on things. One of his fixations had been a toy from McDonald’s, which he’d heard about from a friend at school. The excitement in his voice as he talked about this toy was constant, and I knew, without a doubt, that a trip to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal was in our near future.

So, we set out, eager to find the toy that had captured Leif’s attention. We arrived at McDonald’s, ordered the meal, and eagerly approached the kiosk where the toys were displayed. To my dismay, we were informed that the Team Titans toys had already been discontinued and replaced with Batman toys. Leif’s face immediately fell. His joy was replaced with heartbreak. He had been waiting for weeks for that specific toy, and the disappointment was written all over his face.

I tried to explain to Leif that sometimes things don’t go as planned, but it was clear this wasn’t just about a toy for him—it was about fulfilling a promise and meeting an expectation that had been building for weeks. That’s when something extraordinary happened.

TQ, a kind and compassionate employee who had overheard our conversation, approached me. She could see how much it meant to Leif. I explained why this was so important to him—how he’d been talking about the Team Titans toy nonstop, and how crushed he was to find out they had run out. I could see TQ’s heart go out to him, and without hesitation, she made a request to the manager. She asked if she could dismantle the toy kiosk and give Leif the Team Titans toys, despite it being against policy. I overheard her pleading with the manager, and I could sense that she was doing everything she could to make Leif’s day.

After a few tense moments, the manager agreed. TQ then spent the next 15-20 minutes meticulously gathering the Team Titans toys, making sure Leif would get exactly what he had been hoping for. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t a quick fix, but TQ did it. She didn’t just follow the rules; she went beyond them to help a child feel valued and understood.

Leif’s face lit up with pure joy when he saw the toys. He had been so devastated only moments earlier, but now, with those toys in his hands, he was overjoyed. He couldn’t stop playing with them, and I could see the happiness radiating from him. The joy that these simple toys brought him was more than just about the toys themselves—it was about the kindness that had been shown to him.

I want McDonald’s to know how fortunate they are to have someone like TQ on their team. She didn’t just go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service—she took the time to understand Leif’s needs and did everything she could to make his day. TQ’s actions weren’t about policy or procedure; they were about love, compassion, and making a difference in a child’s life.

Leif’s joy from these toys may seem small to some, but for him, it meant the world. It was a simple, yet profound act of kindness that made all the difference. I will forever be grateful to TQ for her empathy, her patience, and her willingness to make a real difference in someone’s life, no matter how small the task may seem.