Dear Friendly Diner Server,
“I noticed you nursing your baby and I just wanted to say—kudos! Thank you for the courage it takes to breastfeed in public.”
You may not realize it, but your words on that day revived my fading belief in kindness.
You weren’t aware that we were 40 miles from the nearest grocery store, and that we had journeyed nearly two hours for our monthly shopping spree. You didn’t know that our baby had missed a feeding since before we set off that morning. This much-anticipated trip also served as a family outing for my husband and our three little ones. And frankly, my mood had plummeted thanks to some rather unfriendly shoppers.
Yet, there you were that Sunday afternoon, greeting us with a warm smile. Your service was quick and attentive. After we finished our meal, you brought the check and approached our table, thanking me for breastfeeding in public. I stood there, pleasantly surprised, as you recounted how you had seen me feeding my baby shortly after we arrived. You expressed pride in my choice to do something so natural, yet still so often debated. You even mentioned how disheartening it is to see negative posts about public breastfeeding on social media. You thanked me again, and I was utterly taken aback.
Here you were, radiating wisdom and grace that belied your 18 years. It reminded me of the elderly gentleman I encountered just moments before meeting you, who responded to my smile with a curt “I was here first,” instead of the friendly exchange I was expecting as I maneuvered our carts.
I would have expected that behavior from the younger generation—my own generation, often labeled as entitled and rude. But here was this older man, showing me that age doesn’t always equate to wisdom. Perhaps I caught him on a bad day, or maybe he has been shaped by the impolite actions of others. Regardless, his behavior left me feeling disheartened.
But then you stepped in. Thirteen years my junior and without children of your own, you took it upon yourself to congratulate me for breastfeeding in public. Instead of me expressing gratitude for your excellent service, you were thanking me. You may not have realized it, but you brightened my day, lifted my spirits, and rekindled my faith in humanity.
So, to you, the wonderful server at the diner who applauded my decision to nurse in public—thank you!
Warmly,
Your grateful breastfeeding patron, Claire
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Summary:
This letter expresses gratitude to a waitress who supported the author’s choice to breastfeed in public, highlighting the contrast between her kindness and the rudeness encountered earlier in the day. The author reflects on how the waitress’s encouragement restored her faith in humanity during a challenging outing with her family.