Even so, she knew times were set to be tight for a while – by all accounts, she hadn’t been able to furnish her new apartment properly for lack of funds.

Then, one day close to the turn of the year, a celebrity couple strolled into the IHOP where Bethany was working and sat down in her section of the restaurant.

Bethany quickly recognized the man as none other than singer-songwriter Donnie Wahlberg, accompanied by his wife, Jenny McCarthy.

As per reports, Bethany could hardly contain her excitement. New Kids on the Block, the band Donnie was in, was one of the waitresses favorites, and she had always had a special fondness for Donnie himself.

As a result, Bethany was over the moon to be serving him. What she didn’t know, was just how much of an impact that day was set to have on her life.

When Donnie and his family had finished their lunch, the singer paid their $35.27 check, and left a message for Bethany to read on the receipt. Beside a hand-drawn smiley face, it read: “Thanks, Bethany, Happy New Year. 2020 Tip Challenge.”

Donnie reportedly asked Bethany not to open the receipt until he and his wife had left the IHOP. Bethany did as she was told, but was left absolutely stunned when she eventually unfolded the receipt to see that Donnie had left her and her coworkers a tip to the tune of $2,020!

See more on Donnie’s generosity in the video below:

Wow! What a beautiful gesture, and one that I’m sure went a long way for Bethany after her big move to Illinois!

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