This story is probably the best thing to ever take place inside a fast-food restaurant.
Amanda Craft was sitting in a McDonald’s in Noblesville, Indiana, on Nov. 8 when she saw an older woman sitting by herself. Soon, however, the older woman went up and approached a younger man, also sitting by himself, and asked if she could sit next to him.
The man gladly obliged and after introductions, the two were chatting like old pals. Craft discreetly snapped a picture and posted it to Facebook:
“Shout out to this guy!” Craft wrote in the post. “This elderly lady (seemed to be a little lonely) came up to him and asked if she could sit with him. Without hesitation, this guy said ‘of course.’ My friends and I watched him introduce himself and shake her hand. They talked and laughed together like they were friends. They didn’t know each other, and they couldn’t be more different. But today they shared a meal together and it touched our hearts.”
The photo must have touched a lot of hearts because Craft’s post has been shared more than 8,000 times. And through the power of social media, the two people were identified as 70-year-old Jan and 28-year-old Eric Haralson.
Haralson, a father who lives in Noblesville, said he was just as grateful for Jan’s company as she must have been of his, and he said the widespread response to the photo has been a “humbling experience.”
“She didn’t have to sit and eat with me, there were many people there, but she decided she wanted to spend that hour and a half of her day with me, and likewise,” Haralson told People.
The two apparently bonded over their faith and exchanged numbers so they can still chat.
“I’ve had many conversations with strangers but they weren’t the length of time Jan and I spent talking,” Haralson told People. “She is a wonderful woman and I wish nothing but the best for her!”
Can we start casting the buddy movie now?
[h/t People]