Lacey, WA

I paid for the car behind me in the Carl’s drive thru. It was totally anonymous, and it felt awesome! Can’t wait to do it again.

Henry | Helena

OK, I watched the video and then I remembered. My experience was not behind me but it was in front of me. I was in the grocery store behind an older lady (just so you know I’m 61) who was trying to pay for her purchases and searching her purse for every coin. I told the lady at the register it was OK I would pay for it and I did. The lady looked at me like I was going to ask her for something in return . . . I simply wished her a nice day! I felt good – I hope she did.

Valentine’s Challenge – Federal Way, WA

The challenge heard ’round the world, or something like that! It’s been a rough year for me in the love department – and Valentine’s Day was looking gloomy. As I walked into her house, my sweet friend Janelle, ever on the lookout for ways to bless her friends, handed me a gift bag. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” she said in her quiet way, with a big hug. In this bag was an encouraging book, a fun sparkly exceptionally impractical ball about the size of a softball with a floaty heart inside it, and nail polish that I was too poor this week to afford. I very nearly cried.
And now, a soapbox moment: Love in it’s purest form is helpful, encouraging, sparkly, impractical, fun, personal and beautiful. My own little bag of examples. Thanks, Janelle. And Happy “V” Day, everyone!

Valentine’s Challenge – WA

I am separated from my husband of ten years and this is my first valentines day alone since 1997. My best friend got me chocolates and a single rose (my favorite) for Valentines Day. I’m not a big Valentine-y person, but it really blessed me. It’s nice to feel loved. Thanks, Sarah. You made my day!

Alex – Gig Harbor, Washington

Today at the Starbucks at the Key Bank in Gig Harbor, Wa I was in line and had won a $50 gift card to there from my favorite radio station. I was waiting to order and saw a truck pull up behind me and order. I waited til I got to the window and let the cashier know I wanted to pay for their two drinks as well. She looked at me and said are you sure. I told her I was positive and paid for both there drinks and mine. I hope they enjoyed the fraps that day.

Valentine’s Challenge – CT

I had a meeting with a client of mine @ Starbuck’s ~ got there early and paid for my Chai Tea & handed the clerk $10.00 and requested that he keep the change to pay for the next customer’s order. He looked at me like I was from another planet (no offense – I live in CT where the weather is cold & so are most of the people) There was no one behind me in line but I overheard him telling his co-workers about what just happened. A woman approached the counter & was told her coffee had been paid for. She came up to me, introduced herself, saying: “My name is Pat” I hugged her and wished her a Happy Valentine’s Day. I also spread the word about this wonderful new website “In Line Behind Me” and Pat told me she would definitely look it up.

Tamra-Tacoma

I’ve always loved the concept of “paying it forward”. This morning the radio station I listen to was discussing this website and was interviewing Janelle, just about the time I was pulling into a Starbucks drive-thru. I’ve always wanted to treat the person behind me but it never worked out to where I had the money or guts (yes for some reason this is a requirement) or there was never actually someone in line behind me! I decided this morning that I was going to do it! Today was the day. I look in my rearview mirror and no one was there! Just as I was being handed my treats a car pulled in behind me. I waited for them to order and told the barista that I wanted to pay for them. She asked if I knew them or if I was just being nice. I told her that I didn’t know them and she smiled. I wonder what happened after that…Did they continue the chain? My curiosity is killing me! I’m so curious as to what their reaction was! It sure started my day off great. I had some good coffee and managed to lift my own spirits as well as theirs (i hope) in the process!

Valentine’s Day Challenge from Team ILBM

We at In Line Behind Me would like to propose a challenge…

Valentine’s Day tends to be uber-mooshy-squishy-lovey-dovey stuff.  Which is all fine and dandy.  However, we would love to have your help in making it more than that this year.

Our challenge to you…come up with a good deed for someone who needs love.  Doesn’t have to be romantic (although that is good too), but try to be creative and think about those around you who might not have a ‘someone’ for Heart Day.  What about the man who lives down the street by himself?  Could you drop off flowers for him or something else unexpected?  What about your favorite cashier?  Could she use a gift certificate for McDonald’s?  What about the single Mom in the cubicle next to you at work?  Could she use a card from a secret admirer to boost her spirits?

Surprise someone!  Do it secretly…try and do it without them knowing.  THEN, come share your Valentine’s Day Challenge stories here at In Line Behind Me.

with our love and blessings,

Janelle, Jesse & Bryan

Shirley–Florida

We were in line at the garden shop register at Wal-Mart. Several people were in line behind us. In front of us was a young mother with a toddler and a baby. She was buying diapers and a few other things.

She tried one card and it was rejected. She tried to use a different card–it was also rejected. You could hear folks behind us who were in a hurry starting to complain.

My husband opened his billfold and handed the cashier two twenties and told the young mother to keep the change.

I was so proud of him. What a guy!

Jeanette – Bonney Lake

My Husband, Dan, & I periodically buy coffee for people behind us in line. One day, we went to a small espresso stand that had the same window for walk up and drive up. After we purchased our coffees, we bought the coffee for the man in the car behind us. After we walked away, he tracked us down with his car about a clock away. It happened to be his birthday and he was so happy & surprised. It made us feel just as good, maybe better, than him.