A few weeks ago, I decided to turn my garage into a cozy guest room. All I needed was a cheap couch—something sturdy and functional.
That’s how I ended up at a Saturday garage sale. I spotted an old floral couch with scuffed legs and a faint lavender scent. It was perfect.
The seller, Kristen, told me it belonged to her late mother and was part of their home for decades. Her daughter was battling leukemia, and they were selling everything to pay for treatment.
I bought the couch for $20.
Back home, my dog Wasabi went wild over one spot. Curious, I cut it open—and found over $20,000 in cash hidden inside.
I couldn’t keep it.
I returned to Kristen, asked about the couch’s history, and handed her the money. Tears filled her eyes—her mom had said she’d hidden savings, but they never found it. Now, it could pay for her daughter’s care.
Kristen later shared the story online. It went viral. Days later, an anonymous donor gave me a $20,000 check. My boss saw the post and gave me a promotion.
But what stuck with me most was a card from Kristen. Inside was a photo of her smiling daughter and a note: “Because of you, my child gets to have a future.”
That $20 couch didn’t just change my life. It reminded me who I want to be: someone who always does the right thing.