IHOP waitress cursed her luck for working on Thanksgiving — until a customer gave her a life-changing surprise

Nobody wants to work on holidays like Thanksgiving; it is a time one spends with family and loved ones, or maybe just takes the day off to rest. Unfortunately, some don’t have this privilege, and a mom named Ashley Cruz was one of them, per WFAA's November 28 report. As a waitress at IHOP, the woman was likely disheartened about having to work during the holiday. Little did she know that the day would bring her a blessing she never expected. Cruz received a $2,000 tip that turned her life around, and everything from the Good Samaritan’s reason for generosity to the mom’s need gives this story the perfect closure. 

Mirza Kudic is the man behind the "Welcome to Des Moines" Facebook page. He visited the IHOP outlet and, as Cruz began serving him, got into a conversation with her. In a video, he revealed the surprise. After he was done with his meal, he beckoned the waitress and informed her that strangers from the internet had generously contributed to help the staff this holiday season. He pulled out $400 and asked Cruz to first distribute it among the other staff. She was overjoyed for her folks, happily handing out $100 to each. When she got back to thank him, he took out $2,000 to tip her. 

"I was just in shock. I went to the back, and I was crying. It's very generous." The woman even returned a few minutes later as Kudic was finishing his waffles to ask if he was sure of the amount. The man assured her that it was his tip and the internet's kindness to her on Thanksgiving. “I don’t think anyone goes to a server’s job on Thanksgiving because they’re happy to be there,” he said. Sharing why he was moved to reach out to the woman, Kudic explained that his then-photography account opened his eyes to something more — people’s needs. 

One thing led to another, and the man found many requests and decided to use his large following to help. "There's been all these moms, especially those who need stuff, and they will message me. 'I need diapers, I need formula, I need this,'" he recalled. He shares screenshots of the requests, and people nearby or even across the globe step in to donate. He did the same thing for Cruz, and the result was the $2,000 tip that undoubtedly made her holiday season. "I am going to go buy my baby some Christmas presents,” she remarked. She added that she would also pay it forward, just like Kudic would have wanted.

“I'm going to take my 6-year-old and my 14-year-old out tonight around the south side and have them hand out a care package with a little bit of money in there for some homeless people,” she revealed. People were moved to see how their little contributions touched a life. Edward Kirkman wrote, “Great job, brother! Might have teared up a bit.” Shannon Mullen Haus added, “There's a reason she has to work Thanksgiving, and God sent her you and everyone.” 

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