The Prettiest Customer

(I’m having a bad day as I’ve heard some unfortunate news from a coworker, so my face is a bit somber. A little girl walks up with her parents to my register; her head barely peeks above the counter. I love kids and normally interact with them when I am ringing up the items.)

Little Girl: *softly* “You’re pretty.”

(Unfortunately, I can’t hear her because of the beeping from the register.)

Me: “What was that, sweetie?”

Little Girl: *louder* “You’re pretty.”

Me: “Aww, thank you, sweetie.”

Little Girl: “I hope I am pretty like you when I grow up!”

(My heart has melted by now.)

Me: “You are already the prettiest little girl ever! I know you will keep getting prettier as you get older!”

(I finish the transaction with her parents. As they are slowly walking away, I hear her dad.)

Dad: “That was very nice, honey. What made you say that?”

Little Girl: “Because it is true, and she wasn’t smiling when we walked in. And I wanted to get her to smile!”

(She was right. I was smiling for the rest of my shift!)