Restaurant staff give 11-year-old boy a huge surprise and it will make you tear up

Katie Elizabeth Denton was out for a meal with her family when they came across the kindest woman they possibly could. 

Their waitress, Ashley, who surprised them in more ways than they could have hoped. 

Katie's stepson, Slade, has a high functioning form of autism which can make the smallest of situations seem quite difficult to him. 

But, Slade has a massive love for dishwashers and washing machines: "This love for things like these stem from the Autism."

"Anyway, the manager, Ashley came over and was talking to my mum. Slade asked Ashley if the restaurant had a big dishwasher in the back. One that was like the one at his old school."

Ashley informed Slade the restaurant did have a large dishwasher, explaining her favourite kinds before taking the family's food order.

But Slade kept talking about the dishwashers and how he wanted to see the one they had in the kitchen, so when a thought struck Katie, she thought it would be no harm to see if Ashley would be receptive to her idea. 

"I walked over to her and introduced myself and said, 'you’re going to think I’m crazy for asking this, but…' and before I could get the words out of my mouth, Ashley said, 'I’m already planning on bringing him in the back and letting him run some dishes through the dishwasher'."

"I almost fell to my knees. I started sobbing. I couldn’t believe that this sweet, young lady who didn’t know our family, would go out of her way to let Slade look at something as simple as the dishwasher. I was floored. Speechless," added Katie. 

The stepmum gave Ashley a hug, explaining how she would never be able to thank her enough for the gesture; heading back to the table to tell Slade about his upcoming surprise. 

He was so excited, he could barely hold it in, and when Ashley arrived five minutes later with an apron – Slade was the happiest little guy in the restaurant. 

"The whole staff was cheering him on. Thank you, Ashley and the Ruby Tuesday’s staff. You have absolutely no idea how special of a treat this was and how much we appreciate you. We can’t thank you enough."

"You guys are ROCKSTARS and you made our boy’s day. It’s little things like this that just make ya feel good."

It is moments like this that need to happen more often, well done to Ashley and the staff at her restaurant for their amazing show of kindness for Slade.