The Tears Flowed
She really didn’t want to start a fight or be part of any drama right then, but she couldn’t let it go right away. Jackie wanted so badly to say something about it to her husband. She demanded to see the note that the waitress had left.
The Tears Flowed
Motherhood Is Tough
Jackie Johnson-Smith learned the hard way that motherhood is very tough. She had many negative experiences before, but nothing seemed to be as bad as what happened this night. All she desired was to go to a Des Moines pizza restaurant and enjoy a night out with her husband.
Motherhood Is Tough
Stirring Up the Drama Pot
While Jackie left the table to use the restroom, the waitress chose to leave Jackie’s husband a note. She was confident the wife wouldn’t see it, but her plan backfired. Jackie wasn’t going to put up with any of this, and she was rightfully angry.
Stirring Up The Drama Pot
Don’t Mess with Her
Jackie had served with the US Army for many years. Therefore, she wasn’t one to mess with and didn’t take sneaking around very lightly. Outside of Army life, she devoted herself to being the best mother and wife possible for her growing family.
Don’t Mess With Her
The War Hero Mom
While Jackie always tried to have her ‘tough face’ on, she was hysterical when she saw that waitress leave the note with her husband. What could possibly have been on that note to make a strong Army veteran burst into tears at a pizza restaurant? Her husband just stared because he couldn’t believe how she reacted.
The War Hero Mom
Not as Glamorous
Hollywood is well-known for getting things wrong; being a mother isn’t all that glamorous. You’re always exhausted and it’s hard to be “put together” because mothers tend to put their children first. Jackie tried to look nice when they went out, as she was aware of the fact that her husband is attractive, and women looked at him while they were in public.
Not As Glamorous
He Was Handsome
Jackie knew her husband is very handsome and had often noticed that other women would look at him while they were out together. She always tried brushing it off because she knew that he loved her. Even so, she couldn’t ignore the looks their waitress had been giving him all night.
He Was Handsome
No Blind Eyes
Though they loved each other, Jackie realized that their relationship was no longer the same as it had been. Of course, having three kids changes the body. She didn’t have the same mental and physical capabilities she did before, and her husband noticed it.
No Blind Eyes
An Uncertain Feeling
Lately, Jackie felt unsure about the marriage. She wondered if it might be best to say something, and she considered it even more now. Usually, she tried ignoring those insecurities, but tonight those feelings and thoughts went right to the top of her mind.
An Uncertain Feeling
Taking the Family
Both Jackie and Tom, her husband, knew they were long overdue for a date night. Seeing as she had just had a third child not so long ago, they decided to take the whole family out for dinner and enjoy a night of fun as a family.
Taking The Family
The Newborn Life
The moment they got to the restaurant to eat, their newborn baby started to cry. Jackie realized the baby was hungry and started feeding him right there at the table. People often stared while she did this, but she noticed that their waitress was looking at her very oddly.
The Newborn Life
Breastfeeding in Public
The moment you become a mom, everyone judges your every move and tells you how to raise your child. A mom lifting up her shirt to feed her child makes people point, stare, or get upset. They might not be trying to be rude, but it makes the mom uncomfortable. Jackie was used to the staring, as she had breastfed all three children.
Breastfeeding In Public
Proud Mommy
None of the comments or stares made Jackie stop breastfeeding her baby, but the waitress was looking at her much differently than anyone else ever had. Jackie knew she couldn’t just let this waitress get away with it; something had to be done!
Proud Mommy
Everyone Watched
In the past, Jackie had seen people making comments and staring while she breastfed in public. Therefore, she was used to it all by her third child. She just ignored them all and kept feeding because there wasn’t anything unnatural about her actions.
Everyone Watched
An Uneasy Feeling
Jackie realized that the waitress had been looking at her and felt very uncomfortable about it. Had the waitress never seen a woman breastfeed before? Even so, that’s not a reason to stare! This mom thought that the waitress planned to try something and couldn’t figure out what to do.
An Uneasy Feeling
The Letter
As Jackie stood up to use the restroom, her husband motioned for the waitress to get their bill. The moment that Jackie got up, the waitress immediately walked to their table and handed Tom this note. What did it say?
The Letter
New Feelings Arose
While Tom started to read this note, his facial expression was one that Jackie hadn’t seen before. He didn’t realize that Jackie could see his face. Her own face grew cold and pale when she saw that look on her husband’s face. What could have happened?
New Feelings Arose
What Was His Reaction?
Jackie naturally assumed that what was written on this note wasn’t important to her husband. He’d end up tossing it aside. However, he did the unthinkable by taking out his phone after he read it. She thought she was in the middle of a nightmare and couldn’t believe it.
What Was His Reaction?
Was He in Love with the Waitress?
At that time, Jackie felt heartbroken and couldn’t help it. She wondered if her husband still loved her at all after having all of those children. Her heart raced, and she tried to understand what was going on right now in front of her? What should she do?
Was He In Love With The Waitress?
Her Jealousy Showed
It was shocking that although Jackie had walked away from the setting for a brief moment, the waitress still tried to make her move on Tom! Jackie was angry to the point of aggression. Her mind couldn’t stop thinking of possibilities and what the note said.
Her Jealousy Showed
She Demanded Answers
Of course, the disheartening fact that her husband took his phone out to write something or do something about it. Was it a phone number? Did he put it in his contact list? Jackie couldn’t believe any of it. She returned to their table, immediately asked to see the note, and then started crying.
She Demanded Answers
It Was All Suspicious
It turned out the waitress offered Jackie’s husband a discount that wasn’t part of a promotion from that particular restaurant. Jackie’s mind raced. Was it a tactic for flirting with Tom? She was shocked because she’d only been away for a minute! Why was this waitress suddenly offering her husband a discount?
It Was All Suspicious
Problem Central
Right there on the note, the waitress commented on Jackie’s choice to breastfeed in public. Jackie was obviously used to people whispering and looking at her, but she didn’t think anyone could be bold as to make a comment like that.
Problem Central
Very Emotional
Before she could compose herself, Jackie realized there were tears in her eyes, and they were starting to fall. She couldn’t help those strong feelings about everything that happened. Her waitress did something Jackie never believed anyone could ever do.
Very Emotional
The Note Made Her Cry
Jackie sat very low in her seat, with her eyes overflowing with tears. She just couldn’t help it but cry after she read the letter. Even though she now felt powerful and inspired, she never thought something like that could happen to her.
The Letter Made Her Cry
The Note Goes Viral
With such an emotional response coming out of her, Jackie decided to post about the situation on social media. She knew the controversy surrounding breastfeeding in public, but she just couldn’t believe the comments she got from various Facebook friends.
The Note Goes Viral
The Note Said…
She started by explaining that she had breastfed three children in various places. Some of those locations were unpleasant, while others were better. Sometimes, she breastfed out in the open, and other times she would do so discreetly. She said she had received many stares and looks, but tonight erased all negativity she’d ever gotten.
The Note Said…
Experienced Waitress
Bodi – the waitress – was a young woman who had been working in the service industry for a very long time. She often noticed the way people looked at women who chose to breastfeed in public. Generally, it was strangers who did the most staring.
Experienced Waitress
Sharing Emotions
Jackie’s social media post said that this was the first time she had visited Fong’s Pizza restaurant. She had a fussy baby and nursed him for a bit in the booth. She then decided to leave the table, so her baby didn’t disrupt the entire restaurant. The waitress wrote on the receipt, and she was emotional and speechless. What came next, though?
Sharing Emotions
What the Note Said
While Bodi wasn’t a mother herself and didn’t have those breastfeeding experiences, she was very upset when she saw strangers judging this woman for feeding her child in public. Bodi wrote a note on the bill saying she had paid for one of the pizzas and to thank Jackie for breastfeeding!
What The Note Said
She Expected the End
Jackie openly admits that her mind went to the worst-case scenario possible. She assumed that her husband took his phone out of his pocket to note the waitress’s number after reading the note. What Jackie then did was completely unexpected.
She Expected The End
Going Public
Tom decided right then to take a picture of this wonderful note to remember the moment forever. When Jackie realized what happened, she did the same. Everyone on Facebook was leaving comments to Bodi and Jackie, and they were heartwarming and amazing.
Going Public
Raising Awareness for Breastfeeding
With the efforts put forth from Jackie and Bodi, they started a fantastic conversation that ended up getting everyone to open up about breastfeeding. Jackie just wanted to feed her baby in peace without the whispers and strange looks, as does every other breastfeeding mother.
Raising Awareness For Breastfeeding
All She Had Wanted
Bodi was the proof that not all people had negative opinions about public breastfeeding. Jackie realized that some people were just uncomfortable about the subject in general. She was amazed that Bodi had taken that bold step to stand up for her.
All She Had Wanted
So Many Positive Responses
While breastfeeding is natural and normal, people still frowned upon it in public. Therefore, it was very uncommon for any mother to get reassuring comments or smiles when she did it. Bodi later commented that she saw Jackie nursing and was ecstatic she had done it.
So Many Positive Responses
Creepy Staring or Something More
Bodi also said she tried hard not to stare because she didn’t want Jackie to get uncomfortable or seem like a creepy person, but she wanted to jump up and down. This explained why Jackie believed the waitress was looking; she was! It just wasn’t for the reason Jackie initially thought.
Creepy Staring Or Something More
Women Stick Together
Jackie said on Facebook that she had dealt with people’s negative reactions for so long. This situation made her feel like the universe patted her on the back for doing something right. She was just too stunned to return to the restaurant and thank Bodi.
Women Stick Together
Best Feeling Ever
However, not long after that, Jackie did return to the pizza restaurant and thanked Bodi in person. She said she didn’t need to be told she did the right thing by feeding her child, but it felt good to get it. It’s just amazing that women can make each other feel empowered.
Best Feeling Ever
The Unbreakable Family
The couple had a very positive interaction with Bodi. From that, their family and personal relationship grew healthier and stronger than ever before. Jackie felt it was time to post more about mothers who breastfeed in public, and everyone enjoyed it.
The Unbreakable Family
Kindness Rules
If you want to assume anything, it’s that Bodi never realized that small kindness was going to mean so much to this couple – and particularly Jackie. Bodi ended up changing Jackie’s life that day, but she also changed her own. A small act of kindness goes a long way.
Kindness Rules