Even though Jackie and her husband just welcomed their third child into the world, they found themselves facing difficulties in their marriage. They headed out one night with the intention of enjoying a relaxed family dinner with the little ones, but what their waitress did changed the course of the night.
Behind Her Back
When she got back from the bathroom while they were having dinner, Jackie was seeing red. Why? Well, she just witnessed the waitress leave a note at their table. Who could blame her for her reaction?
Behind Her Back
The Tears Came
She did not want to cause a scene there and then, but there was no way she was sitting back and pretending that everything was fine. She asked her husband to give her the note the waitress handed him. She could not help but cry as she saw the words on it.
The Tears Came
Motherhood
Jackie Johnson-Smith knows better than most people how hard it can be to be a mom. However, this did not compare to what the family experienced that day while they were at the local pizza parlor in Des Moines, Iowa. What exactly happened?
Motherhood
Stirring Up Drama
The waitress at the restaurant was brave enough to slip Jackie’s husband a note while Jackie stepped out to use the bathroom. She was shocked when she saw its content. Can you guess what it was?
Stirring Up Drama
Not Someone To Mess With
For some time, Jackie served in the U.S. Army. She was one tough woman who you do not want to get on bad terms with. Aside from her time in the army, Jackie worked hard to be the best mom she could ever be.
Not Someone To Mess With
A War Hero
While she was a tough one, she was in tears when she saw what the waitress wrote down. We will soon find out what made someone like her break down. Her husband was also shocked to see her that way.
A War Hero
Not So Glamorous
It is not at all glamorous to be a mom. More often than not, the stress of taking care of the children will have you looking messy and tired. However, there was no denying that her husband was good-looking.
Not So Glamorous
He Got A Lot Of Attention
Now, it is a no-brainer for Jackie to find him attractive. On top of this, she knew that other women could see this. She avoided letting the attention get to her, although there was something different about the way their waitress looked at him that night.
He Got A Lot Of Attention
A Blind Eye
It is impossible for Jackie to pretend not to notice how their relationship changed as time passed. They had 3 kids, for one thing. Jackie did not have the same physical and mental capabilities she once had.
A Blind Eye
Feeling Uncertain
There are times when she felt uncertain and insecure about the marriage. She wondered if this was the right time to address it. She often ignored such thoughts, but she felt insecure for a good reason this time.
Feeling Uncertain
Bringing The Family Out
Jackie and Tom both knew that they severely needed some alone time. However, it was hard to leave the kids on their own. This was why they opted to go to the local pizza joint with their children.
Bringing The Family Out
Life With A Newborn
Their newborn child began to fuss when they got there. Jackie then began to feed the baby at their table. People started to stare at her, but the waitress was looking at their table even more intensely.
Life With A Newborn
Needed Support
When you start to become a mom, it feels like everyone will judge you for every little thing. This is especially true when a mom lifts up her shirt in public. People tend to stare. After having three children, Jackie was aware of how often this happens.
Needed Support
A Proud Momma
Jackie did not get bothered by the stares. It did not make her want to stop breastfeeding either. Even so, the way the waitress stared was somehow different. Jackie knew that she had to deal with this.
A Proud Momma
All Eyes On Them
Jackie was pretty used to all the stares when she would feed her kids. At some point, she just decided to let it go. Even though the other patrons mumbled about it, she just ignored them and fed her child.
All Eyes On Them
Feeling Uneasy
The moment she realized how intently their waitress watched her, she felt very uneasy. What was her deal? Is this her first time to see a mom breastfeed? Jackie could tell that the waitress wanted to do something, although she did not have the slightest idea what.
Feeling Uneasy
The Letter
Jackie stood up and then walked away from their table. It was then that her husband asked for the bill. As soon as Jackie walked away from the table, the waitress went over to the table and gave her husband a note!
The Letter
A New Feeling
As he read the note, she was able to see his reaction right on his face. He did not realize that his wife was there to witness the exchange. Jackie could no longer hold back what she was feeling.
A New Feeling
How Did He React?
Jackie hoped that her husband would just crumple it up and then forget about it completely. No, he took out his mobile phone instead. Did the waitress really just hand him her number? To Jackie, this was totally unacceptable.
How Did He React?
Had He Fallen In Love?
She could not shrug off the feeling that Tom had already fallen out of love with her. Perhaps he no longer wanted to be with her and their kids. The thought broke her heart as she witnessed what happened. What did Jackie plan to do about this?
Had He Fallen In Love?
Her Jealousy Was Showing
Jackie felt anger fill her body the moment that she saw the waitress go after her husband as soon as she stepped away for a little while. There were a lot of things going through her mind at the moment, but she was focused on the note that the waitress left for her husband.
Her Jealousy Was Showing
Demanding Answers
To her, there was nothing worse than the moment her husband fetched his phone as soon as he read the note. Did he really save her number? Jackie returned and asked him to show her what the letter said. After reading it, she started to cry!
Demanding Answers
Everything Was Suspicious
She found out that the waitress was offering her husband an exclusive discount on the bill. What could be happening here? Was this woman truly flirting with her husband right in front of her very eyes?
Everything Was Suspicious
The Center Of Problems
The note brought up the fact that Jackie chose to breastfeed in a public place like this restaurant. While Jackie was not new to problems such as this one, never before had anyone been this upfront about it!
The Center Of Problems
Getting Emotional
Suddenly, Jackie just could not hold back her tears. They started flowing down her face. She was taken aback by what the note said. How could this waitress say something of that sort? It was unbelievable.
Getting Emotional
The Letter That Made Her Cry
Tears started to go down her face as she kept reading the note on the bill. She even slid down her seat. She did not expect a note like this would ever make its way to her. The truth was that it inspired her!
The Letter That Made Her Cry
Her Note Went Viral
Jackie had strong feelings about what the waitress just did. She decided to go online so that the whole world would get to know what she just experienced. She knew that people argued about breastfeeding in public, so it was going to be a relevant issue. Despite this, she was shocked by the response it got.
Her Note Went Viral
The Note Itself
This was the way Jackie started the post: “I have breastfed three children… I have breastfed them in countless places both pleasant and unpleasant, discreetly and out in the open. I have gotten many looks and stares, but tonight erases any negativity I have ever received.”
The Note Itself
An Experienced Waitress
The waitress they got was called Bodi. She had been working as a waitress for some time already. She noticed again and again how those who choose to breastfeed in public got stared at and even shamed.
An Experienced Waitress
Sharing Her Emotions
“…I ate at Fong’s for the first time tonight. Having a fussy baby I nursed him for a while in the booth and eventually left the table early as to not disrupt the restaurant. The waitress gave this receipt to my husband. I was speechless and emotional,” Jackie continued in the post. What was on the note anyway?
Sharing Her Emotions
What Did The Note Say?
Even though she did not have any experience with it, Bodi still got mad whenever she saw others judge breastfeeding moms for feeding their little ones. This was why she scribbled this on the bill: “I bought one of your pizzas… Please thank your wife for breastfeeding!!”
What Did The Note Say?
She Expected The Worst
Jackie’s response to this gesture was also amazing. She did assume the worst when she saw her husband pull out his phone. To be fair, we can see why she would assume that he wrote down her number.
She Expected The Worst
Went Public
It was a good thing that he only wanted to get a photo of the incredible note. Jackie opted to do the same thing. The responses they got on Facebook were just as great. The note from Bodi also began a wave of similar notes! Isn’t that wonderful?
Went Public
Raising Breastfeeding Awareness
Thanks to the efforts of both Jackie and Bodi, people started to talk about the idea of breastfeeding in public. Jackie, together with other breastfeeding moms out there, must have been tired of getting looks when she only wanted to feed her child as naturally as possible.
Raising Breastfeeding Awareness
All She Wants
Bodi showed us that there are folks out there who are supportive of mothers like Jackie. While it is not always easy to bring up breastfeeding, the truth is that there is progress being made. Good to know!
All She Wants
Amazing Responses
It is not common for a mom to get a lot of positive feedback on breastfeeding, especially in public places. In reality, there is nothing abnormal or unnatural about it. Bodi later explained, “I noticed [Jackie] nursing and was so thrilled she did it!”
Amazing Responses
Deeply Staring
“…I tried not to stare because I didn’t want to seem creepy or make her feel uncomfortable, but I felt like doing jumping jacks!” she added. It was actually the reason she looked at their table so intently.
Deeply Staring
Sticking Up For Other Women
“After dealing with people’s reactions for so long, it was like the universe was giving me a pat on the back. I was too stunned to go back inside and thank the waitress,” explained Jackie.
Sticking Up For Other Women
Amazing Feeling
She returned to the restaurant in a quest to personally thank Bodi. Jackie said, “Although I don’t need a pat on the back for feeding my child, it sure felt amazing. It is amazing how we women can make each other feel when we empower each other.”
Amazing Feeling
Unbreakable Family
Ever since they had that interaction with Bodi, the relationship has improved. In fact, you might even say that it is even better now than ever before. Jackie has made huge strides online to break the silence on moms who opt to breastfeed in public places.
Unbreakable Family
A Long Way
We bet that Bodi did not think that her little act of kindness would do Jackie and her family so many favors. As a matter of fact, it is not limited to them. People across the planet were also touched by the story!
A Long Way