When Barbara Danner pulled into a Dutch Bros coffee establishment in Vancouver, she didn’t expect it to become a moment she’ll never forget. It was while waiting in the drive-thru car line that she noticed a scene worth capturing.
Several employees had their hands out the window while their heads were bowed. They were holding onto a customer’s hand and saying a prayer. Barbara quickly snapped a photo of what she was witnessing (a photo that’s gone viral) – but it’s the story behind the scene that makes it all even more heart-tugging.
Evan Freeman and Pierce Dunn were two of the Dutch Bros baristas there that day. Although it was busy at the time, they immediately stopped when they learned of terrible news.
A regular customer named Alisha Wisbey had pulled into the drive-thru to place an order. However, while doing so she burst into tears. Her husband, Adam, had passed away the day before from heart disease.
The employees immediately jumped into action in the best way they knew how.
After hearing from another worker what happened to Wisbey’s husband and knowing how upset she was – Freeman and Dunn went up to the window as well. On top of offering her a free beverage, they had another idea in mind.
Freeman told Fox 12 News:
“As soon as she said that I was like, ‘There’s nothing more you need to say. We got this, we’re going to do what we do every time we get someone who’s in pain or hurt. We’re gonna give them our love.'”
The baristas asked the grieving customer if they could pray with her. When she agreed – they took her hand, bowed, and spent several minutes offering her comfort.
Not only was Wisbey touched by the employees’ kindness, but another customer in line was too. That’s why Barbara Danner pulled out her phone and took a picture of the group praying together.
Danner decided to share her powerful photo with the world through social media.
She wrote on Facebook:
“Snapped this picture while waiting in line at the Dutch Bros on 138th Avenue today. Turns out the young lady in line ahead of us lost her 37-year-old husband last night. When the DB guys & gals noticed she was falling apart, they stopped everything and prayed with her for several minutes, invited her to come back for prayer and support, as well as anything else that she might need. Prayers for the young family, and you know where to stop for coffee!”
By no surprise, Danner’s post went viral and the story made headlines. It’s been shared more than 145K times. Numerous Facebook users left comments offering praise, and some have even shared their own moving experiences with the coffee chain.
When Fox 12 News spoke with the thoughtful baristas about their actions that day, Dunn told the reporter:
“If every single person did an act of kindness, or just had a smile on their face every single day – the world would be a completely different place.”
They felt that perhaps the viral moment would inspire others.
Wisbey also spoke with the news station about what happened in the Dutch Bros drive-thru. Besides going through the experience first-hand, she’s grateful for having the photograph as a memory. It’s both a reminder of the existence of kindness, as well as a tribute to her late husband.
“Something spiritual or something beautiful like that, you can’t always see it, at that moment. But I can now because I have picture, and it’s another way I can remember him.”
Snapped this picture while waiting in line at the Dutch Bros on 138th Avenue today. Turns out the young lady in line…
Posted by Barbara Danner on Saturday, March 19, 2016
It’s a moving story that’s touched a lot of hearts. Press play below to hear from the coffee baristas yourself!
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