I’m here today to talk to you about your debt.

No, I’m not suddenly into finance.

Spiritual debt.

Hear me out. Or read me out, or whatever that equivalent is. I am a two-time national award winning author, you know. You might want to screen shot this and have me sign your phone later.

A while back, about 13 years ago, I did someone a favor. It was no skin off my back. I was just doing what I do. It was work related, I made a table-side visit (“oh my gosh, that’s the chef!”) and spoke to a new-to-me-guest. I think it was the first time I met Rusty Stevens. It was Valentine’s and he had a very special 5 year-old “date” that wanted macaroni and cheese. The catch was macaroni and cheese wasn’t on the menu.

Never hurts to ask, right? “Sure, I can make you macaroni and cheese!” As much as an attention seeker I can be, I chose a profession and career and industry where people might know your performance (your food) but not your face. And instead of a standing ovation, the closest thing you’ll get to a scream of “ONE MORE SONG” is a clean plate.

But I always enjoy the special requests. I’m not in the business of saying “no.” I am in the business, and now recognize have the life-purpose, of giving people a smile. And even if it’s just for one fleeting second, a moment of joy, inspiration and hope.

So I made the mac & cheese. It’s not that big of a deal.

Thirteen or however many years pass, Rusty and I are friends. We do business with each other. We keep up on the socials. We share workout stories, Panthers frustrations and silly jokes. We live.

My daughter is now 12 and Rusty invites me to come see him, Jackie Fallar Bass and the rest of The Deep Shallow Band at Visulite Theatre. A bonus to all this is the incredible opener Val Merza, but that experience will get its own story. Rusty takes us backstage, lets us take some pictures and gives my daughter a bag full of merch; cd, stickers, shirt, all kinds of stuff. And a signed copy of the setlist. We go onstage as they are setting up, take a couple more photos. We return to our seats and Rusty sends us a shout-out twice. We were special. And although we had to leave early, we were treated like rock stars.

We got home and shared the experience with the rest of the family, showing off the swag gifted to us. Jacq Mac asked us why we were treated so special…and I said “I think it has something to do with the mac and cheese.”

It was either later that night or the following day, I received a text from Rusty. Yes, indeed, it had something to do with the mac & cheese. Rusty explained to me how I made him feel like a rock star that Valentines 13 years ago. That having the chef come out and make a special order for them made the night so special. They still talk about it, he still has the pictures.

It’s amazing how simply being a nice person can impact someone’s life.

So for 13 years, unbeknown to me, Rusty carried this debt. He felt he had to (and totally did not have to) repay me. And when he finally had the chance, he absolutely did. Like the rock star he is. He made sure we were taken care of and everyone else knew we were there. I cry as I type this.

We are told to let go of regret. Let go of the what-ifs and what-could-of-beens. I think it’s amazing and applaud Rusty for not just living in the now, but holding on to what I look at as a spiritual debt. To make an effort to put good in the world. To give others the opportunity to shine. To play by the simple rule of “do unto others” but to take it a step further and do unto others as they have done to you.

I made a man look like a million bucks in front of his little girl. So that man made me look like a million bucks in front of mine.

Rusty has his own story. That’s his story to tell and Lord knows, I only know the tip of the iceberg. But I know for a fact, the world would be a lot better if more people carried the spiritual debt the way that Rusty does. Put good in the world even if there’s nothing returned to you. Make sure you return favors. Remember what feeling good feels like and share that feeling with others. Being a rock star isn’t about being on stage, it’s about having a musical soul. And Rusty is as melodic as they come.

Needless to say, I’m a huge fan. This guy gets it. I’m honored to be part of a world with him in it. We might not be able to change the world, but we can improve the small little part of it we are in. Which, I guess…is actually changing the world.

Job well done, brother. Anytime, anyplace…you’re stuck with me now.

Just make the mac & cheese people. It’s not that big of a deal.