For Bethany, life before that January day had been defined by both endurance and determination. She had spent 18 years living in Miami, Florida, where she raised her 11‑year‑old son as a single mother.
Like many families in fast‑paced urban environments, she learned to balance the demands of parenthood and work, frequently juggling multiple responsibilities without complaint.
Her move was meant to be a reset — a chance to rebuild, to find steadier work, and to create a more hopeful environment for her child.
Upon arriving in Illinois, Bethany quickly set about rebuilding her life. With 25 years of experience in customer service, she applied her skills and found a job working as a server at a local IHOP restaurant in St. Charles.
The work was honest and steady, and although the pay was modest, it helped keep her family afloat while she sought stability after the move.
She also signed a lease on a new apartment, intending to make it a home for her and her son.
However, despite her careful budgeting and diligent saving, she realized that she couldn’t yet afford furnishings or basic household items — a reality that left her apartment nearly empty and her hopes for comfort still out of reach.
Serving Breakfast — and a Surprise
On January 1, 2020, Bethany arrived at work for her shift at the IHOP. It was a day when plenty of customers stopped in for pancakes, coffee and conversations — but one table caught her eye right away.
Seated in booth number 19 were two familiar faces: actor and musician Donnie Wahlberg and his wife, television personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg.
For Bethany, a lifelong fan of Donnie Wahlberg — especially his music with New Kids on the Block — seeing them in person was thrilling. She recognized him immediately, even though he was wearing a hat and glasses.
Though excited on the inside, she handled herself professionally, serving them with the same high level of care and friendliness she offered to every customer.
They were gracious and kind throughout the meal, chatting amiably with her and asking her name and where she was from — casual conversation that made the interaction feel warm and personal.
But although she was overjoyed on the inside, she didn’t mention that she recognized them as celebrities. Bethany didn’t want to make them uncomfortable or create a spectacle — she simply wanted to do her job well.
When the meal was over, Donnie Wahlberg handed her the folded receipt and told her not to open it until after they had left the restaurant. Bethany put the slip of paper into her pocket and continued with her shift.
The Receipt That Changed Everything
Only after the couple left did Bethany take a moment to look at the receipt. What she saw made her heart leap: on a bill that totaled around $78, someone had written a tip of $2,020 — and signed it with a personal message.
At first Bethany couldn’t believe her eyes. She stared at the numbers in shock — the tip was over twenty‑five times the cost of the meal, a stunning display of generosity that took her breath away.
According to what she later told local reporters, she began crying right there in the restaurant, overwhelmed by the kindness and the timing of it all.
The phrase “2020 Tip Challenge” referenced a trend at the start of the new decade where people intentionally left tips that matched the year — things like $20.20, $202, or in extraordinary cases, $2,020 — as a way to inspire generosity and help servers start the year on a positive note.
Celebrity couples such as Wahlberg and McCarthy used it as a joyful way to encourage others to give back.
Bethany later said she almost fell to the floor when she finally read the message and the amount.
This wasn’t just a financial windfall — it was a confirmation that some of the most meaningful moments in life can arrive when least expected.
