Every Saturday, Rachel Smith’s daughter Fiona would go grocery shopping with her mother at their neighborhood Publix in Fort Myers. Over time, Fiona became friends with a store associate named Gilnet. The grocer was always happy to see his friend and he taught her to give him a high five.
For Fiona’s third birthday, Gilnet — who lives in their neighborhood — bought a bicycle and delivered it to her on her birthday weekend. "She eagerly ripped [the wrapped present] open and realized it was her very first bicycle,” Smith recalls. “She loved it so much and wanted to say thanks to him by giving him some pictures of her riding it."
In a video that Smith shared on Instagram, Fiona is making her way through the Publix looking for her friend, who she calls “High Five.” She finds him in the produce section and gives him the pictures in an envelope. You can see how excited Fiona is as the two embrace. Smith says she shared the video in the hope that Fiona and Gilnet’s story will inspire others to appreciate and share the positive influences in their lives.
Smith set up a GoFundMe for Gilnet to "give something tangible back to him for the joy he’s given my daughter her whole life." So far, it’s raised over $6-thousand.