You never know when you’ll run into someone who shares your passions. It can even happen when you’re at the grocery store.

Allyson, a busy parent, watched as her two-year-old son, Charlie, struck up a conversation with a bagger at the local Kroger’s. Erin, a young woman bagging their groceries, saw Charlie’s unusual physical appearance and enquired hesitantly if the youngster had Down syndrome.

Erin informed them that she, too, had Downs after Allyson confirmed that Charlie had Downs. Erin and Charlie became friends after that. When Allyson came into the store the next week, Erin and Charlie resumed their friendship exactly where they had left off. Since then, they’ve made it a point to stop by the business every Tuesday to say hello to Erin.

“I can be standing across the store and she sees me, waves, and we exchange greetings.” Allyson responded with a grin, “She’s kind to everyone, not just me.” Erin generally has Charlie help her bag their purchases at the store. She’ll also take Charlie on a grocery cart ride, speeding up and down the aisles as Charlie squeals with glee.

Erin thinks she recognized a soul mate the moment she looked Charlie in the eyes. “When he looked at me with his eyes, I felt a strong sense of connection.” “I could tell he was connected to me by his eyes,” she said.

Allyson believes that just seeing Erin work hard and socialize gives her hope for her own son’s future.

“Anytime you see a person with special needs in the workplace, it’s always inspiring to me because it just proves to the rest of the world who might have any doubts or concerns that they can do that too,” Allyson said.

“It gives me hope for Charlie’s future of all the things he might be capable of.”

You just never know where you’ll meet your new best friend. We’re so happy that Erin and Charlie got to meet, and we hope their Tuesday Kroger ritual continues for many wonderful years of friendship.