It can be an extremely nerve-racking experience meeting someone new, especially if you admire them. Making a good impression is pretty important, but sometimes the anxiety can get the best of you and you can end up looking pretty silly. A little boy in Florida has proven that with a little creativity things can turn out fantastic.

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There’s a saying that goes “never meet your heroes,” but whoever came up with that probably never met someone like Noah Smiling from Lakeland, Florida. The 9-year-old boy recently got to see one of his heroes up close and personal. What happened was so unexpected that it left everyone with a heartwarming experience.

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When Noah grows up he’s decided that he wants to be a police officer. Because he idolizes them so much, every time he sees a cop he is in complete awe of them. Which is exactly what happened one morning at Denny’s while having breakfast with his mom. What Noah saw instantly made him freeze.

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While having breakfast, Noah was just a few tables away from Lakeland PD officer Eddie Benitez, who was eating alone. His mother described Noah’s excitement in an interview: “‘Mom, there’s a police officer down there!” I said, “Yeah, I know. I seen him when I walked in!” Noah was nervous while thinking about what to do.

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Even though Noah really wanted to talk to Benitez, he’s a pretty shy kid and couldn’t think of what to say. While he continued eating, Noah thought really hard about how he could go up to the officer. All of sudden, he thought of a plan and he told his mother. She thought it was perfect as she watched her son put it into action.

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Noah walked up to the counter and talked to one of the waitresses working. He explained to the waitress what he wanted. She walked away and came back seconds later with paper and a pen. After she handed it to Noah, he began writing. What Noah wrote on that paper will leave you in tears.

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After Noah was done writing, he slowly walked to the table Benitez was sitting at. Even though he was extremely nervous, he managed to get the courage to walk up to him and give him the paper. The officer was confused at first by the paper that Noah handed him.

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To his complete surprise, Benitez was handed the receipt for his breakfast. Noah had just turned nine a few days before and had received some money as a birthday gift. Noah decided to use some of that money to buy Benitez his breakfast. But that wasn’t it - Noah had also written a note for Benitez.

Amanda Cantin/Facebook

The note had said: “I want to be you when I grow up. Thank you for your service. Noah Smiling.” The officer was completely taken by surprise. After all, what nine-year-old pays for someone’s meal? Benitez knew he had to show Noah his appreciation.

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Officer Benitez immediately walked over to Noah and asked to take a picture with him. Noah was ecstatic! Not only did he get to meet someone he considered a hero, he got to take a picture with him, as well. Noah’s mother posted the picture on Facebook, not knowing the attention it would bring.

Amanda Cantin/Facebook

Amanda’s post read, “One proud Momma. When your child asks if we can pay for an Officer’s Breakfast!!!! Writes him a message on his receipt.” The post was commented on by an incredible amount of people praising Noah for his kind heart, and his mother for raising him right. But what she didn’t expect was who would share her post.

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When officer Benitez told his fellow officers what had happened, they decided to contact Amanda to see if they could share the story on their page. “Well Noah you touched all of our hearts today. Your support means so much to all of the men and women who put on the uniform every day. We wish you the happiest of birthdays!” What did officer Benitez say about it all?

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“It meant everything. It meant that I’m supposed to wake up every morning and put on this uniform and go out there and do what I do. You know? It means that I need to keep trying to be a good example to all these young guys,” said Benitez to 10News. But the police officers were not the only people who were touched by Noah’s story.

Lakeland Police Department/Facebook

The post that Lakeland PD posted on their Facebook page went viral! People from all over the world were celebrating Noah’s kind heart. “Way to go Noah! Thank you for being one awesome kid! And thank you to the Lakeland Police for all that they do,” said a woman from Italy. Other people wrote that not all officers would have been as appreciative as Benitez.

Lakeland Police Department

“This shows how exceptional YOU all are. I can assure you not all officers are like that. Whenever I’d see an officer dining or having some coffee I pick up the tab but none ever thanked me in any shape or form,” said another woman. Lakeland PD replied, thanking her for her support. But, of course, it was Noah and officer Benitez who got most of the attention. Even the media was looking!

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After the story went viral, Noah and Benitez were interview by 10News. Noah was even allowed to climb aboard the patrol car! Officer Benitez now takes Noah’s note with him, safe in his front pocket, wherever he goes. “I’ve got it right here, ‘cause I’m gonna keep it as long as I can,” he said.