Spouses, Babies, Stickies – Mike the Mailman Delivers

Hello and welcome from the “Full Service Zone.”

I have had this small but recognizable sign hanging in my office for many years now. It means something different to every person.

Last week, something happened to me that made me reflect on exactly what this sign has meant to me and all of the friends that come by to say hello to me, mail a card to a loved one or ask for directions.

SPECIAL DELIVERY:

I was shopping in Giant when a guy with this cute 21-month-old approached me. He introduced himself to me as Scott.

“In some way or another, you are responsible for my son, Sullivan,” Scott told me. Just then, Scott was joined by his wife, Carla, and our interesting conversation continued.

“About five or six years ago, I came to your post office and was telling you that I had a first date that night with a girl that I was really excited about,” said Scott. “You gave me two tickets that you had to the Icers hockey game that night. Cool tickets for a hot date, at the ice rink. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

I then had to tell Scott and Carla about how their story reminded me of… 

PRIORITY MAIL:

About 21 years ago, I befriended a graduate student, Jon. I invited him to come along with me to two different graduation parties.

The first party was for a local girl whose parents were hosting the party at their house. There I introduced Jon to a lot of friends of mine, one being a young lady by the name of Gwen. They chatted a little, but Jon and I had another party to attend. Before we left, I made sure to let Gwen know where we were headed to next, repeating the address, since it was obvious to me there were sparks between her and Jon.

Upon arrival at the second graduation party, I guaranteed Jon that Gwen would show up.

“No way,” said Jon.

I confidently replied, “Jon, I could do this for a living!”

About a half-hour later, Gwen arrived. Again, the rest, as they say, is history.

Jon and Gwen have been married now for 20 years, they have three great kids, the middle child of which I am a proud godfather. They now actually live across the street from that house where they first met.

FIRST CLASS:

Every May, I like to contribute to the Senior Week festivities by hosting my Cheers Tour. This is a get-together of friends that has become a tradition over the last 21 years.

We always start the fun at Old Main and continue to “stamp” our way through downtown State College, trying to enjoy a night of dancing, laughing and making memories for those set to graduate. The sign-up for this year already has more than 73 fellow first-classers! Over the years, more faculty and staff, as well as recent alumni, have joined the current senior class on this unforgettable evening.

EXPRESS MAIL:

Two years ago, a young woman named Jennifer rushed into The Park frantic, inquiring how she could possibly get these 12 boxes of stickies to her brother-in-law in Ann Arbor. They needed to arrive in time for his PSU vs. Michigan tailgate on Saturday morning. It was Thursday afternoon.

Jennifer went on to say how much she had bragged about how delicious these stickie buns were, and her brother-in-law wanted to get his Michigan friends’ opinions.

I handed her my car keys. She laughed while I thought about it a minute. I then told her to bring by the 12 boxes the next morning, as I was headed out to the game to meet up with my daughter, Marykate, and some of her friends.

Saturday morning, as promised, I delivered to her brother-in-law the 10 boxes of delicious stickie buns, which he and his friends enjoyed.

To this day no one knows what happened to the other two boxes.

STAMP OF APPROVAL:

If you are actually looking for real help with any kind of postal need, such as how to correctly pack and wrap and ship something to someone, I am always available here at The Park. 

Who knows, you might come in when I need help giving away hockey tickets, or need a friend to accompany me to a party, or perhaps I’ll need more sign-ups for an annual May event, or maybe I’ll be in need of a co-pilot for a tailgating treat.