I’m taking a break from this blog’s current theme of Leadership Lessons from the Road to share with you what Chick-fil-A would call a tweetable moment. A moment you witness that is so cool and so refreshing that you can’t help but share it with others. Mine happens to revolve around one of my favorite pastimes…having pizza delivered to my house. Enjoy.
I ordered a pizza last weekend during the Superbowl. When it arrived, my ever-protective Cavalier King Charles escorted me to the door to make sure the food transaction occurred flawlessly. The delivery guy was a young man and extremely friendly. While handing me my pizza, wings, garlic knots, and soda (I may have lied and told him I was having a party so he wouldn’t judge me for eating so much food during the big game), he noticed my four-legged companion. He smiled, asked if he could pet her, and upon receiving my blessing, bent down and showed her some love.
“I love this breed,” he said. “I have one just like her. In fact, she’s in my car. Would you like to meet her?” Knowing you can never have too many pizza delivery driver friends, I said, “Sure.” And together we left my front porch and proceeded to his car parked in my driveway. Halfway there, he said, “Don’t be surprised when I open the door. My whole family is with me tonight. My wife, our daughter, and our dog.”
I thought this was a bit odd, so I asked, “Does your family always come with you during deliveries?” His answer was priceless. “No,” he said. “But my daughter had been hearing about the Superbowl all week in school and how all her friends’ families were going to be together during the game. She asked me if we would all be together for the game as well. I explained to her that I had to work tonight and that I wouldn’t be around. She then told me that she didn’t care about watching the game. She just wanted the family to be together just like all the others she kept hearing about. I asked her if that was really all she cared about and she affirmed her answer. So, I told my wife and we decided we would all deliver pizzas together tonight. I still work my shift and the family spends time together. It’s a win-win.”
I loved this story. Here’s a guy that looked for and found a happily-ever-after. He stayed true to the work shift he had been assigned, and still found a way to satisfy his daughter’s request of simply wanting to spend time as a family on Superbowl Sunday. And did I mention that when I met the rest of the family, they looked like they were having the time of their lives?
I think most of us could learn a lesson from this pizza delivery guy. He was faced with a dilemma but saw an opportunity. Instead of choosing between option A and option B, he created an option C. He found a genuine compromise and delivered on his promises to both his job and his family. I know we don’t live in a world full of rainbows and unicorns. And I know that win-win situations like these are few and far between. But shame on us when we stop looking for them. Just because they’re hard to find, does not mean that they’re completely elusive. The next time you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation where hard choices must be made, remember this pizza delivery guy. And see if you can’t create your very own option C.
Such a great story, Jay! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Sheri!
This is a wonderful story of family love.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Della!
Great story………great family!!
Wendy: Thanks for reading!
Incredible story, and one that I will share
Thanks for reading, Lincoln!
Great story. There are a few amazing people around yet 👍
Yes, there are, Mary Lou. And you’re one of them!