Today, something unexpected happened—one of those moments that quietly reminds you how deeply kindness and human connection matter.

Late in the afternoon, there was a knock at my front door. Standing there was a young boy I didn’t recognize. He looked a little nervous, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, but there was also a flicker of hope in his eyes.

“Hi,” he began softly. “I just wanted to see if you knew any kids around—like 11 or 12, maybe. I need some friends… like, really bad.”

His words came out almost in a whisper, as if he wasn’t sure how they would be received. It’s not easy for anyone—let alone a child—to admit they feel lonely.

I smiled, trying to put him at ease, and started thinking of a few kids in the neighborhood he might get along with. I mentioned a couple of names, hoping one would spark a connection.

But Shayden—he told me his name after a moment—shook his head. His voice lowered even further as he explained that he didn’t spend time with them anymore. “They’re not nice,” he said simply. The weight behind those words was clear. My heart sank.

It’s painful to realize that a child has already experienced exclusion from peers who should have been his friends. No one that young should already be familiar with the sting of being left out.

Wanting to lift the mood, I told him my daughter was only two years old, but he was welcome to come over and spend time with her if he liked. I expected him to politely decline, thinking a toddler wouldn’t interest him.

Instead, his face broke into a genuine smile that seemed to light him up from within.

“Oh great! I really like meeting new kids—honestly, they’re the best thing ever!” he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

It was such a pure and honest response that it stopped me in my tracks. Here was a boy who had been let down by others his own age, yet he still carried an open heart and a willingness to connect. That takes a kind of courage many adults struggle to muster.

It made me wonder how many people—children and adults alike—are quietly longing for friendship and belonging, but don’t know how to ask, or are afraid of how they’ll be received if they do.

Shayden’s bravery touched me so deeply that I felt compelled to share his story. I wrote online:
“You never know what someone is going through until you take the time to listen. This young man is polite, kind, and courageous. Let’s help Shayden find some friends.”

Because sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures—an invitation, a kind word, a moment of understanding—that can change the direction of someone’s day, or even their life.

Shayden reminded me that friendship is one of the simplest yet most important forms of kindness. And that offering someone a place to belong, even in the smallest way, matters more than we often realize.

So here’s the invitation: let’s help Shayden find the friendships he’s been looking for, and let’s make sure he knows he’s not alone. After all, isn’t that what we all want—a place where we feel welcome, and people who are glad we showed up?