It had been two long years since Ben Millar saw his family in Northern Ireland.
The 22-year-old was a little homesick and really wanted to go back to Ireland to visit.
He especially wanted to visit his parents once his baby was in a few months. But paying for international travel isn’t exactly easy on a server’s salary.
Ben also wants to introduce his girlfriend, Taryn Keith, to his family since they haven’t met.
Going back to Belfast was just a pipe dream for the Irish waiter until some kind customers came in.
A man named Jefferey walked into Ben’s Houston, Texas restaurant one day with his family.
After striking up a conversation with the family, Ben learned that the family often visits Ireland.
“I jokingly said, ‘I wish I could go back that often to see my family,'” Ben told ABC News. “I thought nothing of it, and we all joked after. The night went on, and I proceeded to give good service and talk to them.”
But Jeffery and his family took that joke seriously… very seriously. So seriously that the family decided they wanted to help Ben get back home to Ireland for a visit.
Ben dropped the $122.87 check at the family’s table.
He was completely shocked when picked he check back up. That’s because he found a $750 tip.
“Hopefully, this can get you back to Ireland for the holiday – Jeffery,” the check said.
“My initial reaction was shouting, ‘Holy s—!'” Ben said.
Ben just wishes that there was a way he could thank Jeffery for his kindness.
“I also hope I can reach out to Jeffrey so he knows how much I appreciate it,” Ben said. “It means a lot to me, but more to my family back home who will benefit from seeing me again since almost two years.”
Ben says he would love it if Jeffery would visit Ireland the same time he does so that he could show him “the true Northern Ireland, not just the tourist aspect.’
Taryn ended up posting a photo of the check on Facebook which was liked more than 3,000 times and says it “couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”
“My boyfriend got this tip last night at work. He’s from Ireland and is trying to take us back there once Killian is born so we can meet his family. Thought I would share it to show everyone that’s there is not only hate out there. Truly blessed,” she wrote in her Facebook post.
She and Ben met after they were working across the street from each other.
“He was only down here traveling, then we met and I got pregnant really fast. I’m eight months pregnant now and we’ve probably been together for only 10 months, but this couldn’t have happened with a better guy,” Taryn told the Irish Mirror.
“I’ve never left the country, so I’m very excited – we’ll hopefully be heading over around July. We’re hoping to explore more [of Ireland] if we have the time. I really just want to meet his family though.”
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