She emerged from the bathroom enraged. She was astonished by the boldness of their waitress. She didn't want to cause a fuss, but she had to confront them immediately.
But the waitress had already hurried away by the time she got there. She turned her gaze to her husband and demanded to see the note. She started to read, her hands trembling as she struggled to contain her tears.
The Note That Started Everything
It isn't easy to be a mother, and Jackie Johnson-Smith had to find this out the hard way. However, she had never had an experience as unique as the one she had at a pizzeria in Des Moines, Iowa. It was here that one waitress had the nerve to pass her husband a secret note.
Jackie was unprepared for what was written on the note when she read it.
Thick Skin
Jackie was a straightforward woman. She had grown a thick skin after serving in the US army. Jackie was a dedicated mom in addition to being in the military.
But one day, a message from a waitress had her in tears. What could possibly have triggered such a strong emotional response in a war hero?
Not The Most Attractive Job
Most of the time, being a mom isn't the most attractive job. You are worn out, messy, and constantly available for your children.
However, her husband was a handsome man. Jackie had frequently observed the looks other ladies gave him. She made an effort to ignore it, but it continued to gnaw at the back of her mind.
Confidence
Jackie regarded herself as a confident woman, and Tom, her husband, had never given her a reason to question his loyalty or to worry about not being enough for him.
But soon, their connection would be put to the test. Jackie was well aware of how their waiter was eyeing her husband that evening.
Feeling Insecure
As time passed, Jackie became increasingly aware of the shift in their relationship. They had been together for quite some time. Jackie started to question whether he felt it was time for a change.
After all, she had birthed three children and no longer had the vigor or physique she previously did. And that's not all.
He's Changing
She wasn't sure whether to blame it on postpartum mood swings, anxiety, or something else, but Jackie had seen some changes in Tom's behavior.
Normally, she would dismiss these suspicions. But things were different this time. Jackie couldn't shake the feeling that something was incredibly wrong, no regardless of how hard she tried.
Suspicious
For example, she had heard several accounts about how spouses typically whine and sulk about the absence of intimacy in the weeks following labor. That had not happened with Tom. He seemed to be alright.
In fact, he seemed to be content and flourishing. Jackies couldn't recall the last time she had seen him so happy. He'd been pretty stressed during pregnancy, but now he didn't seem to have a care. It doesn't end here.
Hard To Believe
Even during pregnancy, he frequently avoided domestic duties, but now he was more willing than ever to help around the house.
He was now doing almost everything around the house, while still working full-time and caring for the baby. Jackie initially assumed that Tom was simply overjoyed with the child's birth and empathized with her fatigue. But then another thought occurred to her.
Feeling Guilty
It appeared almost too good to be true. What if that was the case? What if Tom was acting out of guilt because he was hiding something from her? Or to compensate and keep her from questioning anything?
She told herself she was being foolish at times, but she couldn't get rid of her concerns. And there was one last thing.
Cologne
Tom had started wearing a different cologne; as a matter of fact, he went back to the same cologne he used to wear when they started dating almost eight years ago. He stopped using it a year into their relationship and claimed to be sick of it.
“I don’t know how I was able to walk around reeking of that,” he joked about it. But now, he was wearing it again. What was going on?
Dire Contrast
While Jackie spent most days absolutely exhausted, although infinitely grateful for her newborn baby, Tom seemed to be more upbeat and gleeful than ever before.
This dire contrast made Jackie feel some type of way she wouldn’t be able to define precisely. It would have been wrong to resent her husband: after all, he was being the best partner and new dad she could have asked for. But was he?
Moment Of Truth
Jackie kept telling herself that those were just her insecurities talking, that pregnancy and motherhood had been taking a toll on her peace of mind. But was that really all there was to it?
She kept trying to brush it off, and after a few weeks, she almost managed to forget about it. But that night, something else gave her a good reason for suspicion.
The Choices That Make Us
One day, Jackie and Tom decided they were in need of a date. They had just recently had their third child. So, as a family, they packed up and headed off to their local pizzeria. But when they got there, their baby grew niggly.
Jackie knew it was time for a feed, so she did just that. As she breastfed her child, she could feel eyes hot on her back. But none as hot as her waitress’.
Camaraderie
Usually, she felt a certain sense of camaraderie with waitresses and service workers. She had been a waitress at a restaurant herself for a few months right after she left the Army.
As a matter of fact, that was the time he met Tom. They met while she was working; after finishing his meal, Tom asked her for her number.
A Cute Memory
That was a cute anecdote that she enjoyed sharing with friends and relatives. She always remembered her times as a waitress every time she went to a restaurant with Tom.
She thought of it this time too. However, this time the memory hit her together with a strange feeling of anguish and anxiety. And it was all about the waitress’ behavior.
Bracing Herself
“The waitress kept walking by, and I was worried she didn’t want me nursing in the restaurant,” Jackie said. However, the reason behind the waitress’ walking back and forth and eying the family’s table wasn’t because she wanted to judge Jackie.
Was that it, though? Or did she have a different reason to be strolling around their vicinity and glancing at them again and again?
A Note
She was about to find out the truth about the issue. It would be a simple gesture that would give the waitress’ real intentions away.
It was a note that left Jackie “…in total shock and tearing up.” But that wasn’t all. Her husband had a part in it, and Jackie was about to catch him red-handed.
Exchanging Glances
All too aware of the waitress’s sideward glances, Jackie began to feel increasingly uncomfortable. Did she have a problem with her breastfeeding in the restaurant? Something was up. The way she was pacing back and forth like she had something to say.
Little did she know, the waitress was just biding her time. She was waiting to make her move.
Things Heat Up
Jackie knew she had to do what she had to do. However, her waitress’s stares were beginning to make her feel uncomfortable. She noticed how intently she was watching. And then, she saw the way they locked eyes. There was something going on here. She just didn’t know what.
Feeling emotional, Jackie began to get up. But she had no idea what the waitress was planning on doing in her absence.
Swooping In
Jackie excused herself from the table. During this time her husband had asked for the bill. As soon as she was gone, the waitress swooped in.
Slyly, she slipped Jackie’s husband a sneaky little note. His reaction was everything Jackie needed to see; right then and there, she knew she had to do something about it.
She Was Watching
What he didn’t know was that Jackie saw everything. And at that moment, her heart sank. Then, her feeling gave way to another emotion entirely — pure rage.
She slung her baby over her hip and stormed over. Her husband still held his phone and the incriminating note in his hand. And she was ready for a fight.
His Reaction
What had sent Jackie into such a rage was how her husband had reacted to the note. Instead of simply getting rid of the evidence, he immediately took out his phone and started typing something while looking at the note.
She could barely believe what she was seeing. It felt like a nightmare. It seemed like all her fears had been prophetic.
She Had To Do Something About It
Jackie couldn’t help but feel as though he had had enough of playing dad. And now, all her insecurities were confirmed. But where did that man get the nerve to do something like that while she was gone for a minute?
She felt her world fall apart as she stood there, watching. Well, what was she going to do about it?
Confrontation
Jackie was outraged. How dare another woman move in on her man in her absence! Her mind was racing. She couldn’t imagine what judgmental note was scrawled on the slip. What hurt more, however, was that her husband immediately took out his phone.
Was he really going to save some random woman’s number in front of her? Jackie demanded to see the letter. But when she looked at it, she just began to weep.
Incredulous
Not only had the waitress given her husband a “special” discount, but the note was also about Jackie breastfeeding in public. Jackie was used to being the subject of controversy, but nobody had ever commented directly on her feeding her baby at their restaurant before.
Feeling stunned and emotional, Jackie couldn’t hold back the floodgates any longer.
The Tear-Jerker Letter
As Jackie stared at the slip, hot tears rolled down her face. She could not believe what she was reading.
Jackie was overcome with emotion. She sunk into her seat and took it in. Of all of the notes to be passed, she did not expect this one. But the note did more than evoke emotion. It inspired Jackie to do something.
The Waitress' Action Goes Viral
Jackie felt so overwhelmed by the waitress’ gesture that she took to social media to tell everyone how she had been treated.
She wanted everyone to know what had happened to her at that restaurant and about the waitress’ actions. Just a few hours after posting her story, she checked her social media again. She was amazed when she saw that it had gone viral.
Her Story
She knew that breastfeeding in public had become an extremely hot-button issue, but she was still surprised by the feedback she received from Facebook users. Thousands of people liked, commented, and shared her story.
“I have breastfed three children… I have breastfed them in countless places both pleasant and unpleasant, discreetly and out in the open,” she began.
"Emotional"
“I have gotten many looks and stares, but tonight erases any negativity I have ever received. I ate at Fong’s for the first time tonight. Having a fussy baby I nursed him for a while in the booth and eventually left the table early as to not disrupt the restaurant,” Jackie’s Facebook post continued.
“The waitress gave this receipt to my husband. I was speechless and emotional.” So, what did the note say?
One Note Made The Difference
Bodi had been a waitress for a while. And through her years of service, she had seen how breastfeeding moms were treated. She understood their plight.
And it made her so mad that people judged women for just wanting to feed their babies! So, when she saw how cool and calm Jackie was, she had to do something.
Touched
So she wrote a note on the bill: “I bought one of your pizzas… Please thank your wife for breastfeeding!!” This gesture moved Jackie to the point of tears. She was touched by the waitress’ gesture and her solidarity.
Jackie took the stares in her stride. But what she did afterward was even more amazing.
Make It Known
When Tom pulled out his phone, his wife had expected the worst. However, he merely wanted to capture a shot of the powerful message. Jackie now understood this. And she decided to do the same. Jackie took a photo of the slip. And when she shared it on social media, the response was overwhelming. People praised Bodi and Jackie equally.
Bodi had made a massive impression on the public. But her actions birthed a beautiful movement.
Breastfeeding Is Hero-ED
Thanks to Bodi and Jackie, breastfeeding awareness was starting to grow. Too long had moms been subjected to awkward stares. People seem unable to comprehend the concept of breastfeeding. Jackie showed moms it is ok to be bold. And Bodi showed that out there, there will be cheerleaders who support their choice to feed.
It still isn’t a comfortable topic, but all awareness is good awareness. And that’s exactly what Jackie wants to share.
Positive Feedback
It’s rare to get such positive feedback for breastfeeding — even though it is a totally natural thing for a mother to do.
Bodi, the waitress, later said, “I noticed [Jackie] nursing and was so thrilled she did it. I tried not to stare because I didn’t want to seem creepy or make her feel uncomfortable, but I felt like doing jumping jacks!”
Woman Empowering Each Other
“After dealing with people’s reactions for so long, it was like the universe was giving me a pat on the back. I was too stunned to go back inside and thank the waitress,” Jackie said. Later, Jackie visited Bodi to thank her in person.
“Although I don’t need a pat on the back for feeding my child, it sure felt amazing. It is amazing how we women can make each other feel when we empower each other.”
The Super Family
Since the incident, Jackie and Tom have been stronger than ever. Their little family made waves on social media. Today, they still have a resounding presence. But it’s thanks to Jackie passionately standing for her beliefs. Who knew that two women could create such an impact? Between Bodi and Jackie, they have allowed more moms to feel supported.
Their legacy will definitely be passed on through this story. And the world thanks them for it!
In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.