Two weeks ago, the kids and I stopped at the local library on the way home from their swimming lessons. I had to pick up a book I’d reserved online, but the little ones also wanted to come inside and check out some books.

Between the two of them, they chose seven books. My son quickly picked out the ones he liked while my daughter took her time deciding, so I had to help her out a bit. I picked up one more book for myself before checking out. Then we stopped to check out some free children’s books laid out on a table just outside the library entrance, then sat on a bench while I read a few pages aloud to them.

And that’s where my daughter left her fennec fox stuffy toy.

But we didn’t realize we’d forgotten it until we got home, 25 minutes later. Stopped in our driveway, my daughter simply stated from her car seat, “I left Polly at the library.” I immediately dialed the library to ask if her toy was there. They put me on hold for a few seconds and came back to tell me that it was. I could pick it up anytime later that day until they close at five o’clock.

I didn’t get around to stopping by until today, exactly two weeks later. The little ones were asleep in the car, so I quickly ran inside the library to retrieve the toy from the front desk and rushed back to my car.

I smiled at a man at the bottom of the steps with two small, white, poodle-like dogs on leashes. He smiled back then suddenly recognized what I was holding. He stopped to say he and his daughter had found the stuffed animal that I had in my hands.

I couldn’t believe it at first! He just thought how sad the child must be who’d left it. Then his daughter came out of the library, and I thanked them both profusely for their kindness.

How awesome is that! And what perfect timing for us to meet.