Pay it Forward: The Chinese Buffet Episode

So for the past 7 months or so, Thomas has had this irrepressible craving for all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. We decided that we should take care of this before we go to Idaho, since there is NO all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet in Rexburg or probably within 100 miles of it. Anyway, we finally decided that last night was the night we were going to go. Thomas came home and said: "What do you want to do tonight? How about all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet?!?!?" I said: "Ok." So we decided to splurge and we went! We had collected a few coupons, and we decided on this place down on Gilbert and the 60 that looked pretty good. I think it's called Hunan VIII Chinese Buffet or something. I just remember driving past it and thinking it looked like it was advertising a "human" Chinese buffet. But needless to say, there were no humans to eat at this buffet.

So we finally WENT! We got to go and eat all different kinds of Chinese food, to Thomas' utter delight. He tried almost everything they had, I think- from the fried baby octopus (he said it was pretty gross and rubbery) to the stuffed crabs (he actually LOVED those) and he ALMOST ate a crawfish thing but I think the fact that it still had eyes and legs kind of creeped him out. Plus he couldn't figure out how to eat it. I stuck to normal-looking things, like sweet and sour chicken and beef and broccoli and egg rolls and stuff. Anyway- I think our evening at the Chinese buffet was overall a success.

Anyway, so we're sitting there eating our fortune cookies that had come along with our bill, pretty much ready to go, when the man sitting in the booth next to us came up to us and said "Hey guys," and he had some money in his hand. I had noticed the couple standing there next to their table with their bill in hand, ready to go pay, but they kind of lingered at their table, and we figured they just realized they needed some change or something. Then he said, "My wife and I would like to buy you two dinner." And he puts a $20 bill on the table. Thomas and I were like- "What? Why?" We were waiting for the catch or something. He told us that every now and then, his wife and he like to find someone that they think it would be nice to buy dinner for, and that we looked like we might enjoy that. He also wished me (my belly) a happy birthday, and with that they walked away. Thomas and I were totally stunned. We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves. I had noticed the couple watching us when we had first come in, and I noticed that every time we would get up to go refill our plates, they would just be watching us. I really didn't think a whole lot of it, since large pregnant bellies tend to attract peoples' attention. But we were just so surprised and touched at these complete strangers that apparently felt some connection to us and wanted to pay for our meal, just because. I could tell the man didn't want to make a big deal out of it, that he wasn't expecting anything in return, he just simply put the money on our table and told us they wanted to pay for our dinner, and walked away. Thomas actually started tearing up, even (though he may not admit to it now!). I just was so impressed that there are still people that have true human kindness in them, and aren't afraid to express that to strangers. It really made me want to know that couple- to know their story and who they are and what prompted them to do things like that. They didn't look like extraordinary people or wealthy people- they just looked like normal people. But I don't think I could forget the man's face as he told us he wanted to pay for our food. It really was just an incredible experience. It makes me want to go do something randomly nice for someone else. And it really makes me love that couple that I don't even know.