This 19-Year-Old Waiter Just Got the Tip of a Lifetime

For a teenaged waiter, a generous tip can mean the world. Especially when that generous tip comes with a few zeros behind the dollar sign.

Brendan Motil, a 19-year-old server who recently began working at Smokey Barque BBQ in Frankfort, Ill., was shocked to discover something a little unusual on one of his tables’ checks.

Though the bill was $20.31, the tip was a staggering $1,000.

“My jaw dropped. I couldn’t do anything. I was in shock,” Motil shares in this interview with a local Chicago broadcast station.

On a slow night at the restaurant, the 19-year-old had taken the time to chat about life with a male customer, who apparently appreciated the service — a lot.

In a note written on the back of the receipt, the mystery tipper wrote, “Thanks for your kind service! You’re doing a great job as a server. I’m not sure what your hopes and dreams are in this life, but I hope this tip helps.”

He goes on to add, “My hope is that people [are] more peaceful to each other. The world can be so negative and violent, [so] I commit random acts of kindness…”

This particular act of kindness will be put toward funding Motil’s college education, a dream we’re sure the mystery tipper would be more than happy to support.

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