'Pure joy': This random act of kindness at restaurant makes family's night

Random good deeds are never a bad thing – and certainly not when they mean your entire dinner is paid for. 

This is what happened to a family of eight from South Bend, Indiana when they went for dinner at Taphouse on the Edge.

Matthew McCloud, the father, says how they were caught completely off guard. 

He said, ''this gentleman stops by, taps me on the right shoulder, and I look over there and he's at my left shoulder and he says hey dad, I love your family, dinner's on me and left this card, it had 200 dollars on it and was out the door before I could realise what was going on.''

He continued, "I was just really shocked, normally I have a lot to say and I was really sitting there looking around going really is this happening to us because it’s not something that normally happens."

As the family, who have six children between the ages of 11 and 16, often have a difficult time juggling everything, this kind gesture means the world to them.  

Nicole, the mother, said that it was ''pure joy for us to be able to sit and relax and have a wonderful time and not have the bill that night, it was wonderful.''

While her kids are usually busy with different hobbies like choir or boy scouts Nicole says that she does tell her brood about the importance of being kind.  

She said, ''it was a nice teaching moment for the kids that we're always telling them to do good deeds and to pay attention to other people in the neighbourhood, say hello, have a friendly face, and when you can, be considerate and kind to someone.''

"To have that come back in full to us was a wonderful example to be able to have the children witness."

The family would love to offer their thanks to this stranger for his act of kindness.

Matthew said, ''thank you for making that a beautiful night for us.''

"It was a nice teaching moment for the kids that we're always telling them to do good deeds and to pay attention to other people in the neighbourhood, say hello, have a friendly face, and when you can, be considerate and kind to someone.''

What a wonderful story.