We all know that there's no place quite like home. The place
where you can be yourself and spend time with the ones you love the
most. Sometimes in our lives, though, we find ourselves separated from
our home and our family. Occasionally when this happens, we find a home
far away from home. We find another family to love. Even though we're
happy with where we are in our lives, we can't help but feel the sting
of homesickness. Keep reading to find out how this woman found her home
away from home, and the amazing gift her friends gave her.
Mary Keaulana-Riotutar lives in Laredo, Texas, and works at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
Mary hasn't always lived in Texas, though. In fact, Mary is pretty far from the place she calls home.
Mary is originally from Hawaii, but hasn't set foot on her island in more than five years.
Mary misses home, but she gives thanks to her work family for helping
her make it through. “I guess the only reason why I survived this long
without my blood family, my momma is because of these blessed souls and
my best friends out of work," said Mary.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen / Facebook
One night, while Mary was at work, she received a surprise of a lifetime.
A few of the employees that weren't working that night came into the
restaurant looking for Mary. Everyone gathered together in the kitchen
to give her a wonderful gift.
Mary Keaulana-Riotutar
One co-worker began by saying, “We all came together as a family because we love you so so so very much."
One after the other, the co-workers began reading speeches they had
written to Mary. “Mary, you do so much for this company and for all of
us as a family. You pull doubles and dedicate yourself to this place,"
said one employee. “You’ve been a great friend to all of us, may God
bless you Mary,” said another teammate.
Mary Keaulana-Riotutar
Then another co-worker said something that completely confused Mary.
“I wish you the very best. Good luck in your trip home," they said.
Considering she definitely didn't have a trip planned, Mary had no idea
what they were talking about.
Mary Keaulana-Riotutar
Check out this video to see how Mary's work family surprised her with a trip home!
That's when Mary was handed a white envelope.
Inside of the envelope were all of her dreams. It was something that Mary never expected to receive.
Mary Keaulana-Riotutar
Mary's co-workers put their money together to buy Mary a plane ticket to go home.
Mary was overwhelmed with happiness. “I miss my mom, my family, the
food, the aloha, EVERYTHING & well I talk about it like ALL THE
TIME,” she explained. “I don’t even know what to say.“I love you all.
Thank you guys so much," Mary said to her work family.
Mary Keaulana-Riotutar
Source:
Facebook
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