Sometimes, the most ordinary moments can turn into something extraordinary. This story, which began with a pizza delivery, became a touching reminder of the power of human connection.
One evening, Lindsey Sheely of West Warwick, Rhode Island, ordered pizza for her family. As she stepped outside to collect the delivery, her two-year-old son, Cohen, followed her. When the delivery man arrived, Cohen did something that surprised everyone—he ran up to the man and hugged him. The delivery man, Ryan Catterson, was touched by the little boy’s gesture and hugged him back. Lindsey, moved by the moment, shared the video captured by her doorbell camera on social media, hoping to spread a little joy.
What Lindsey didn’t know was how much that hug meant to Ryan. After the video gained attention online, Ryan reached out to Lindsey, explaining that he had recently lost his 16-year-old daughter, Alyssa. The hug from Cohen had come at a time when Ryan was struggling with overwhelming grief. He later shared that the moment felt like a sign from his daughter, a small but meaningful comfort during a difficult time.
Lindsey was deeply moved by Ryan’s story. She described the encounter as a “little blessing from God,” believing that Ryan’s presence at their doorstep that night was no coincidence. Ryan, too, felt that the moment was special, telling reporters that it felt like the universe—or perhaps his daughter—had sent him a message of love and support.
This story is a beautiful reminder of the impact we can have on each other’s lives, often without even realizing it. As Lindsey said, “You never know what people are going through.” A simple hug from a child brought a moment of peace to a grieving father, showing us all the importance of kindness and connection.
