For one Tennessee family, a dinner at O’Charley’s in Lebanon turned into an unforgettable lesson in kindness. Lola, her husband, and their young daughter visited the restaurant, hoping for a relaxing end to a stressful day. However, shortly after they left, Lola’s heart sank as she realized they had forgotten an envelope filled with money.
“That day I wasn’t having the best day at work. My mind was jumbled,” Lola said. “My heart sank when I realized (I lost the envelope).” Panic quickly set in as the family searched everywhere — their car, home, and even the baby’s diaper bag — but the envelope was nowhere to be found. As a last resort, Lola decided to call the restaurant, unsure of what to expect.
Lola and Nate Affourtit talk to reporters about the missing envelope full of money that Nate found. Photo by KMIZ
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nate Affourtit, their server that evening, had already found the envelope. It had fallen behind the booth where the family had been sitting. When Lola called the restaurant, Nate was the one who answered the phone. “Maybe it fell out of my pocket,” Lola told him, nervously explaining what she had lost. To her immense relief, Nate assured her that he had found the envelope, and the money inside was untouched.
I was surprised no one took (the money) by then.”
Nate’s response to the situation was a testament to the strong moral values instilled in him by his parents. “I didn’t think about stealing it. I thought if you do something wrong-wrong, it will come to you,” Nate said. “I give thanks to my mom and my dad for teaching me right. They teach me to be a light in the dark these days.”
Lola talks about how happy she was to learn that her server had found her family’s lost money. Photo from KMIZ
While Nate didn’t see his actions as extraordinary, others were deeply moved by his honesty. Lola was so touched that she shared the story on social media, where it quickly went viral. The post resonated with friends and strangers alike, inspiring many to donate money to Nate as a gesture of gratitude for his integrity.
For Nate, who works five days a week to pay for school and save for a car, returning the envelope was an easy decision. “The positivity, it touched me,” Lola said. “To know our youth, they’re not terrible after all. They’re going to be all right.”
Nate’s simple act of honesty reminds us about how small actions can leave a big impact on others. Maybe we all can learn to be a light for others.
