Oddly Familiar
The more they talked, the more Ruth felt like there was something different about him. He felt oddly familiar to her and she didn’t know why. He looked at her from under his long blonde hair and took her money.
Her brow furrowed. She pitied him. Little did she know who she just gave her money to.
Ruth Reed
Ruth Reed may seem like just an ordinary woman from Medford, New Jersey but she’s far from it. Ruth is a retired teacher and lives a relatively quiet lifestyle with her husband.
Ruth woke up with the sunrise and poured herself a cup of coffee as she read the newspaper. It started out like any other week day, but it sure wouldn’t finish like one.
Strong Values
Ruth and her husband had a happy marriage. They rarely bickered and even though they never had children, they never felt lonely or wanting.
They had decided to always be grateful for what they had and rarely asked for more. In fact, their rare attitude to gratitude led them both to also vow to always be kind and give back when they can. But sometimes, situations can be misjudged.
Routine Shopping Trip
It was around 6 pm when Ruth finally got around to do her routine shopping trip at their local Wawa convenience store. She knew this place inside out, just as she knew most of the customers that shopped there.
But on this particular day, there was one unfamiliar face that she hadn’t seen before. She vaguely took note of it before continuing with her shopping.
A Problem
When she was done, she stood in line to pay. She waited at the checkout counter for her turn to pay but soon, she noticed that there was a problem at the front of the queue.
From behind, she recognized the unfamiliar face she saw earlier. It looked like he was having trouble paying. Her heart immediately sympathized with him. But it wasn’t as she thought.
Stepping Up
"It looked like he was using a card and it didn't go through,” Ruth said. “And then he asked a young lady for five dollars and I thought, ‘this is it'. So I said, 'No, I'll get it.’”
Ruth had already made up her mind that if she was in a situation where she had an opportunity to be generous, she would take it. And this was that moment for her. But for him, it was something else entirely.
Who Was He?
Ruth approached the man with her purse wide open. “Here, I’ll help you”, she said. The man looked at her. She put five dollars in his hand and held it. “If we don’t help each other out in hard times, what are we all here for”, Ruth said with a warm smile.
It was an action that would have warmed even the coldest of hearts, but this man’s reaction was anything but normal.
No Ordinary Man
His arms were covered in tattoos, his long fair hair disheveled as he looked out from under it. He was wearing a black graphic t-shirt. He didn’t look like he was from around here but that didn’t matter to Ruth.
Ruth and her husband always helped out people in need at the supermarket, especially soldiers and veterans.
Giving Back
"We decided when we saw military people we would treat them at Wawa or Dunkin Donuts or whatever," Ruth said. “It’s our way to thank them for their service”. But he didn’t really look like a military man.
The man took her money and thanked her. It was then that she took a second look at him. Something about him looked familiar.
Pieced Together
They talked for another while longer while Ruth tried to place why his face felt so familiar. When she introduced herself, and he introduced himself as Keith, that’s when it all came together.
But there was no way he was who she thought he was. After all, what would a man like him be doing shopping at a place like this? But she was wrong.
Strange Realization
The more they talked, the more Ruth let go of the idea that he was the mega country music star she had in mind. But just before they were about to part ways, she said, “By the way, has anyone ever told you that you look like Keith Urban?”
The man laughed, “I am Keith Urban”. Ruth looked at him sideways. Then she noticed something very strange.
Keith Urban
As she looked around them, she noticed a number of men close by watching them. Her heart started to pound as she realized what was happening. They were his bodyguards. It really was Keith Urban!
The beloved country music legend was really standing right in front of her. But what was he doing there?
Mega Star
Once Ruth realized that the man really was who he said he was, she was stunned - and not just because he was who he claimed to be, but because he is a huge superstar!
Keith Urban is an incredibly successful country music star - he’s released a lot of chart-topping singles throughout his career.
A Country Legend
The legendary country singer usually spends his time in Australia and New Zealand, but that hasn’t prevented him from becoming a superstar in the United States.
And he’s not just famous because of his music, he’s also married to the bombshell Australian actress Nicole Kidman. But, although Keith Urban is worth millions, all his wealth didn’t help him much that day. Ruth was absolutely lost for words.
Embarrassment
“I just fell apart,” Ruth admitted. “And he was gracious.” Ruth was not only shocked to find out she was casually talking to Keith Urban but she was also embarrassed that she didn’t recognize him and took him for a person in need.
She even doubted his identity straight to his face! But what did Keith think of it?
No Offense Taken
Ruth said Keith was very gracious and laughed when she realized that he wasn’t lying. He must have found it all quite amusing. After all, being the megastar that he is, it must be seldom that he goes unrecognized and even mistaken for someone down on their luck.
Keith, thankfully, wasn’t offended at all. He was so grateful for Ruth’s kindness that he wanted to do something in return.
Trying To Repay Her
While Keith was willing to repay Ruth for her kindness, she was still adamant that she didn’t want anything in return.
She told him that she had chosen to live her life by grabbing any opportunity she could to make someone else’s day a bit brighter. But, there was one thing she wanted from the celebrity - and it wasn’t money.
A Quick Photo
It had been difficult for Ruth to believe she was really speaking to Keith Urban, why would anyone else believe her? She wanted to get some proof to show her friends that all of it had really happened.
Ruth and Keith posed together outside the Wawa for the photo that was about to go insanely viral!
Overnight Celebrity
Ruth posted the photo on her social media accounts, and her post quickly gained attention because of their amusing exchange. Ruth soon became a headline on many US newspapers where people couldn’t get enough of her story.
It wasn’t long after that Ruth was booked for dozens of interviews. The story even reached Keith Urban’s home country of Australia, where it was featured on The Kyle & Jackie O radio show.
Good Karma
Ruth also gained so much admiration for her giving attitude and acts of kindness that she and her husband so adamantly keep. Viewers, reporters, social media users, and the owners of the Wawa store were seriously impressed with her generosity.
Ruth is a shining example of good Karma, and now she was about to get some back.
“Free Coffee Day”
Ruth became a local celebrity in her hometown after her adorable story went viral - people couldn’t get over her generous heart. The Medford Wawa even held a “Free Coffee Day” in honor of Ruth’s kindness.
The store put up a sign with Ruth’s photo that read: “We’re celebrating Ruth who goes above and beyond to treat fellow Wawa customers. Thank you for all the days you’ve brightened.” But that wasn’t all.
Paying It Forward
Just a few days after Ruth’s story went viral, she got a tweet from Mastercard. The credit card company wanted to do something to help her fund her weekly resolution to help someone out.
“Ruth your next 52 acts of kindness are on us. We’d love to send you a year’s supply of prepaid Mastercards! Let’s connect!”
Inspiring Others
Although Ruth’s Facebook posts are set to private, Olivia Prouse, a former student of hers, shared the story so others could see how awesome her former teacher is.
Ruth’s act of kindness was so well received on social media that it has inspired others to pay it forward - and it’s sparked a lot of positivity, too.
Calling Her A Hero
One Twitter user wrote: “Ruth Reed is an unsung everyday hero and if not for an encounter with Keith Urban would be living the life of a good person helping others in need in anonymity.”
“The BEST part of this story is Ruth Reed & her husband’s kindness. We need to spotlight THESE people, because…. #ThisIsAmerica” wrote another.
An Inspiration
Country musician Carly Tefft heard Ruth’s story and even wrote a song about it! But what did Keith think?
Although Keith Urban didn’t mention Ruth on his own social media accounts, he did post a video after his concert in Camden - which is where he had been heading when he stopped at the Wawa. All he said was that he’d had a “great time” there. Nevertheless, Ruth is an inspiration for us all.