Waitress Receives Whopping $3K Tip, Recipient Reveals What Inspired Him [Photo]

One waitress recently got the surprise of her life. According to the Milford Daily News, a man reportedly inspired by his middle school teacher, Richard Specht, decided to leave one his waitress a big tip — $3,000 to be exact. The staggering tip was so shocking that the unnamed waitress felt compelled to email Specht with details about the heartwarming story. On Wednesday, Apr. 22, the waitress sent the inspirational email along with the photo of the receipt.

The receipt included a lengthy note explaining the giver’s reason for the surprising tip. The giver also included specific instructions for the waitress. He simply asked her to go to Specht’s site, which promotes kindness, to further understand the concept of paying it forward. He also asked her to share this experience but refrain from using either of their names.

“Thank you for your kindness and humility. My teacher in middle school had such a difficult experience a few years ago which has sparked me to do this.

1. Go to reesspechtlife.com and learn!

2. Don’t let pay it forward end with you.

3. Since it is about the idea and not about you, or me, if you decide to share this, please don’t use either of our names!

Thanks for always being around for all of my shows off and on broadway. I hope that one day someone gives as much love and happiness into the world as you do.”

Once the shocking receipt was shared online, it didn’t take long for news of the waitress’ windfall to go viral. Thousands of social media users have shared their reaction to the unknown man’s kind act, but there’s one person who was probably just as touched as the waitress: Richard Specht. According to Patch.com, Specht and his wife Samantha are both school teachers with the Smithtown School District. In 2012, the couple lost their 22-month-old son who drowned in a pond in their backyard days before Hurricane Sandy. After the horrific accident, they vowed to do something that would inspire others in memory of their son. So, they started their foundation.

During a recent interview with the Milford Daily News, Specht shared his reaction to the email. Needless to say, he was quite pleased.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Specht said of the waitress’ email. “I started crying. There are pictures of my son everywhere and I was just looking at them saying ‘I can’t believe this is something that you helped to inspire.'”

[Image via Richard Specht]