Mom felt embarrassed to work in her kids' school cafeteria — but a little girl's note changed it all
Working odd jobs is often looked down upon, especially when you’re a mother of four and have a husband who works in the United States Air Force. Sarah Fiacco had no qualms about being a stay-at-home mom and holding the fort at home for over 16 years. Every school function, sports meet, and recital, Fiacco was there cheering her kids on. However, when the family moved from Virginia to Alabama, where her husband, Bryce Fiacco, a lieutenant colonel, was stationed by the military, life took a meaningful turn for the busy mom.
Back in Virginia, Fiacco ran a successful home bakery business marketed solely through word-of-mouth. “It was very lucrative, and I loved it,” she admitted to TODAY.com. After the family moved to Alabama, her business did not profit the same. “People here were just not as interested in what I baked.” Hoping to embrace the challenges with grit, Fiacco explored other professional avenues like teaching before finding her purpose in serving lunches to kids. In a Facebook post shared on a luxury buy and sell page, she penned her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming the favorite lunch lady at her children’s school. “Never did I imagine at 40 years old I’d be working in my kids' school cafeteria full-time,” Fiacco wrote.
The mom of four frankly wrote about her initial reservations that stopped her from accepting the position. “It’s not necessarily a ‘dream job.’ I was even embarrassed to share here. But, I’m here to say in less than two weeks, I already have a deeper sense of satisfaction than I’ve ever had,” Fiacco penned. She attached the picture of a handwritten note by one of the kindergarten students at her school. “Thank you! For lunch. From Olivia,” the note read. The simple words of acknowledgement struck a chord with Fiacco, fueling her determination at work. Little Olivia had handed her the note through the lunch window and said, “I want you to have that.” On Instagram (@woodenchair_inn), Fiacco shared a post on the wholesome note by Olivia.
“Sure, my feet are sore. My hands are dry and I’m dreaming about chicken nuggets, but getting this note reminded me why I said, yes,” the mother said. She hopes that the job of a lunch lady is more than “serving food.” In addition, Fiacco highlighted how joy is hidden in the most unexpected work and occupations. Fiacco is a mother to her four kids, namely, Kinsely, 16, Carter, 13, Kason, 10, and Kendall, 6. Soon after the move, Fiacco worked as a substitute teacher at Prattville Christian Academy, but had no plans of doing it full-time. So, when the school offered the opportunity, she declined.
Eventually, they approached her with a food service associate job. “I never thought that this is where I’d be, but it’s fantastic,” Fiacco said. Explaining the dynamic nature of her day job, she revealed that some days she works the registers while on the days she is assigned odd tasks like washing dishes. “It’s very fast paced. And the best part is that I get to see my kids. They come to visit me.” She has no room for complaints as her children are “proud” of her work and drop by often.