“Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how!”

A young mother at church on Friday night spoke these words to her pre-teen daughter who was complaining that someone had been grumpy to her on the way in. It made me laugh at the time, and I wrote it down. Then, today, as I was pondering the next beautiful soul I would introduce to you, I scrolled past the quote and thought…”Becky!”

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One of the friendliest people I have ever encountered, Becky Martinez is positive, bubbly, chatty and kind. Becky is also kind of a sparkly fashionista– a woman with flare and full of personality and life. She is pictured above with her son, Austin Olvey.

Becky is the wife of a sweet guy named Dave and the mom to a grown son named Austin. I happen to know she’s crazy about Austin and his wife, Sarah, as well as her hubby because she never fails to give me an update on each one of them when I visit her at the salon every few weeks– and she always shares how smart, capable and hard-working they are too. I’ve known her quite a long time, since Austin was a little boy, and I am not sure there could be a young man more loved by his mom than this one.

She’s interested and engaging. I heard it said once that hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. That makes me giggle, but it is certainly one of Becky’s many gifts. Sure, she can turn my gray old lady hair into something far more appealing, but she’s a woman who does far more than that. People who love their customers have customers who love them right back, and that’s what she’s built over many years of making people look their best.

You might catch this gal on a long bike ride, or enjoy a glass of wine with her now and then. You might know her as “Bekah” and maybe she cuts your hair too. Perhaps you don’t know her at all, but if you live in Hamilton County there’s a good chance you know someone who is one of her customers because she has quite a network of clients. Regardless, she’s an authentically kind woman with a generous, and loving heart.

Today, I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to Becky for always having something thoughtful and kind to say. Kindness is a superpower, I’m convinced. You see, the world has a way of wearing us all down now and then, and it’s often a small, friendly moment, a little helping of kindness that re-charges our souls. Becky helps people by freshening their look, and very often, their mood too. Thank you for being a light for others, my friend. I am grateful for you.

“Any time we practice hospitality we follow in the steps of our lavishly hospitable God.” (from The Simplest Way to Change the World).