Waitress' act of kindness toward grieving parents goes viral

Shaun and Debbie Riddle said they have eaten at West Side Cafe in Fort Worth, Texas, a lot in the past month.

When their daughter was born, she quickly became a "regular" along with them.

But the couple never expected waitress Kayla Lane to remember them -- or their newborn daughter, Glory.

That's why the couple was shocked last week when the young waitress asked them why their baby wasn't with them.

Sadly, they had to share some bad news: baby Glory had passed away.

At nine weeks old, she never woke up from a nap, reports CBS Dallas. They still aren't sure why.

"I'm like, 'Oh gosh, I made them remember!' even though it's going through their minds all day, every day," Lane told CBS Dallas.

At the end of their meal, instead of a check, Lane handed them a note with a heartfelt message: "Your ticket has been paid for. We are terribly sorry for your loss. God Bless. - The West Side."

The couple offered to pay the full price for their meals, but Lane told them "don't worry."

Debbie was so touched by the act of kindness, she posted a picture of it on her Facebook page as a thank you.

Lane was so "sweet," she didn't even want us to tip her, Debbie explained. She said the company took care of her tip as well.

A West Side Cafe manager later confirmed to CBS Dallas that Lane fibbed. The waitress paid for the meal out of her own pocket.

In fact, she has a habit of picking up people's tabs, usually members of the military or firefighters.

"Kayla's uncommon act of kindness is a common virtue shared by so many of our great co-workers," the restaurant responded to Debbie's post on Friday. "But this is just a reflection of the warm and loving appreciation which we receive from so many of our great guests."

Nearly 15,000 people shared Debbie's message of thanks to the restaurant, and thousands shared condolences and appreciation for Lane's actions.

"We hear so much negativity on the news and so that is why I felt led to share this story in hopes that Kayla and this restaurant will get some good recognition," Debbie wrote.