Paying It Forward

I've been following Lauren's blog, Love Is The Point, where she writes about doing good deeds and trying to brighten other people's days. And a few weeks ago, she mailed me a Starbucks gift card because she's super sweet and wanted to do something nice for her readers.

As soon as I opened the card, I got this bug in my ear saying that I really should pay it forward. I try to be nice to everyone, and I volunteer on occasion, but I know that's not the same as doing good deeds just for the sake of doing them. So I told Matt that the next time I went to Starbucks, I was going to pay for the person behind me in line.

Yesterday, I went to Starbucks via the drive-thru. I was like, shaking nervous, because I NEVER do stuff like this. A light blue Toyota Yaris pulled up behind me. (I couldn't see who was in the car because Esmeralda is gigantic and the windshield of the Yaris didn't even come up over my tailgate.)

I thought I was being stealthy, but when I got home I realized all I got was a picture of my own tailgate. Fail.

I ordered the Chocolate Chai Latte (thanks, Lauren!), and when I got to the window, I told the barista that I'd like to pay for the car behind me. He said "okay" like it was no big deal, and then popped his head out the window again.

"Are you sure? Because their order is like, twelve dollars."

I didn't hesitate before saying yes, I was sure. YOU WILL NOT STOP ME FROM DOING MY GOOD DEED, STARBUCKS MAN.

Yes, my car does have cup holders. I took this pic after I parked so I wouldn't slosh latte everywhere.

I paid for my ticket and theirs, and high-tailed it out of the drive-thru line with my stomach still doing flippy-floppies. I drove the long way through the adjacent HEB parking lot so the Yaris wouldn't catch up to me. (I don't know what I thought would happen if they did, but I was not taking chances!)

The latte was excellent. I hope whoever was in that little blue car had a good afternoon.

What is your usual order at Starbucks? Any good fall drinks you recommend? (I'm a sucker for advertising. That's how I discovered my two favorite drinks: peppermint hot chocolate at Christmastime, and raspberry green tea frappuccinos the rest of the year!)