Thank you Culver’s for sponsoring this post.
“You are a good mom.” Those were not the words I planned on hearing while waiting in line to order my kids frozen custard at Culver’s. In fact, this post was originally going to be something completely different, but after the kindness I experienced today I felt like this was a better story to share.
Y’all, it’s been hot here. Like mid 90’s hot, for the last week. The thing about Colorado and hot is the elevation. Since we’re a mile in the sky those 95 days feel like your skin is going to melt off, especially when it’s combined with the dryness. We’ve been sick a lot of summer break, but we’re now starting to feel better and I told myself that we were going to get out of the house this summer and live life. We weren’t going to sit inside because it’s hot and taking 3 kids out alone can be like my own personal hell. We were going to live life and explore our city this summer. Since we’re feeling better, we got up and took a trip to our local splash pad where the kids played their little hearts out, splashed around, and stayed cool in this obnoxious heat.
Once we were done with playing we stopped at our local Culver’s for some lunch, and the kids begged to eat inside. So we did. They acted like wild animals, complained, danced, and were their goofy little selves. Once we were done with lunch, I went to order them some frozen custard. Summer lunch just isn’t the same without it and I wanted to try one of their new flavors they released, this month’s Flavor of the Day is Blackberry Cobbler. My son insisted on coming to the counter to order with me and while we were up there he started acting a little crazy. In between ordering my kids their frozen custard and telling my son to a. listen to me, or b. stop doing that, I hear a voice from behind me say “I just want you to know you are a good mom”. I turned around and standing behind me was a dad waiting for his order. I told him thank you and in the moment was just shocked at what was happening. He then went on to tell me a few more times that I was a good mom and each time I thanked him. Then before we went back to our table he said “You are a good mom. I know it’s hard, I get it, but you’re doing a great job. It gets easier, remember that.” I thanked him again and ushered my little guy back to his sisters to wait for their frozen custard.
Our frozen custard arrived and of course my little guy decided that my Blackberry Cobbler frozen custard looked delicious, so he quickly took it over and squealed that it was his FAVORITE FLAVOR EVER.
It wasn’t until we were driving back home, and the craziness had calmed, that I really started to think about what he said to me – then it all sank in. In the midst of chaos, a total stranger met me with kindness and reassurance instead of dirty looks and rolled eyes. As a mom of 4, I have gotten many dirty looks over the years, people who refuse to sit next to us on a flight, and just looks of disgust when my kids are being kids. I’ve been guilty of it before too, but over the last several years I try to toss other moms a smile instead of a glare because I too have been there and I’ll probably be there the next time I am out with my kids. I know it’s hard and we’re all just trying to do our best. I don’t know if I’ll ever see this kind man again, but thank you for your kind words. As I sit and reflect on his words they bring me to tears because being a parent is hard. The next time you’re out and you see a parent struggling, tell them they’re doing a good job and I’ll be sure to do the same.
If you’re looking for ways to help beat the heat, stop at your local Culver’s to try one of their new flavors, like Blackberry Cobbler. Culver’s is unveiling six (6) new Flavors of the Day in 2018 on the 10th of each month from now through October:
- May 10 – Cappuccino Cookie Crumble. Culver’s debuted this flavor last month. Use the flavor locator to find out when it will be the Flavor of the Day at your local Culver’s!
- June 10 – Blackberry Cobbler
- July 10 – Chocolate Pretzel Crunch
- August 10 – Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- September 10 – Dark Chocolate Decadence
- October 10 – Peanut Butter Salted Caramel
In addition to serving Chocolate and Vanilla Frozen Custard, every day Culver’s restaurants offer a different Flavor of the Day. Frozen custard is different from ice cream because it uses more cream and contains less air, so it’s creamier, and frozen custard is served at a temperature that won’t freeze your taste buds, so you can enjoy the flavor longer. Make sure to visit Culver’s on the 10th of the month to try all the new flavors. I know I’ll be heading back next month to try the Chocolate Pretzel Crunch and this time I might just go without the kids, because parents need a break too,.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.