Every day, a dedicated UPS driver makes a special stop during his lunch break that has nothing to do with delivering packages.
Tim Westfall, a UPS driver from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has found a unique way to merge his work with his personal life. Every day, he takes his lunch break to visit his father, who he affectionately calls ‘homeboy.’
The bond between them goes beyond the typical father-son relationship; they also share the same name. Tim is known as Little Tim, while his father is Big Tim.
The daily ritual starts with a simple text from Big Tim: “Homeboy, a cup of coffee with cream, please. Be over in a couple of minutes.” Little Tim responds by bringing coffee and spending his break with his father.
“You ain’t got nobody to talk to, so that’s the hard part. When my son comes over, I get to see him and I get to ask him about the kids,” Big Tim shares.
These visits are more than just a way to pass the time. For Big Tim, they are a cherished respite from loneliness. His wife, Donna, passed away six years ago after a long battle with cancer.
Reflecting on the loss, he says, “She worked for the bank for 40-some years and then retired. She got to retire for two years before she died, and that’s the hard part. It still hurts, not as bad, but it still hurts.”
Tim’s decision to take this particular route was no accident. After his mother’s passing in 2017, he chose this route to stay close to his father. “I took it, just knowing I can come here because otherwise, I don’t get to see him, other than maybe every other weekend,” he explains. His managers support his decision, allowing him to use his break time to visit his dad.
In the warmer months, the father and son sit in the driveway, maintaining a six-foot distance—a habit that began during the pandemic and continued ever since. “I don’t know why we do it, we just never stopped,” Little Tim admits.
Their bond is built on mutual respect and love. Big Tim is a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, while his own father served in the Navy. Reflecting on his military service, Big Tim jokes, “I said no, I can’t go to the Navy because I get seasick, and I wasn’t going to wear that little round hat.”
Little Tim values the time he spends with his dad, despite hearing the same stories repeatedly. “Now that he’s getting older, I hear the same stories over and over,” he says. But these moments are precious to him. He acknowledges his father’s unwavering support:
“(My dad) does everything for us. If I say, ‘Hey Dad, bring me a pair of gloves,’ or if I need a hot cup of coffee, or if I’m starving and say, ‘Hey Dad, have some dinner ready when I come over for lunch?’ He has it.”
Big Tim reciprocates the gratitude, saying, “I want to thank you for being fantastic kids.”
Let’s take inspiration from Tim and Big Tim’s story and make an effort to spend more time with our families. Whether it’s a simple visit, a phone call, or just being present, these acts of love are the most meaningful gifts we can offer.
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