2-Year-Old’s Love For The Neighborhood Sanitation Worker Makes For The Cutest Friendship

Jun 22, 2021 by apost team

One of the many beautiful things about children is the way they make friendships with whoever their heart desires. In a story from 2015, a 2-year-old from Dallas, Texas, Deacon Ross, became best friends with his neighborhood recycling collector, Oladele Olurunrinu, who goes by O'Dee. The pair see each other every Friday, and the occasion has become special for Deacon. 

Sadly, Deacon and Olurunrinu's friendship will be coming to an end as the Ross family is moving into a larger home to make room for Deacon's new sibling. Deacon's mother, Summer Ross, is expecting a baby, and the family could use the extra space. Deacon has said he wants to name the baby O'Dee. However, summer said she still hasn't decided.  

The final time Deacon and Olurunrinu saw each other was captured on camera by a news crew. In the video, you can see that Summer made gift baskets for all of the sanitation workers on her route but had Deacon deliver one special to his best friend. Olurunrinu looked surprised and touched by the kind gesture. The baskets had a travel coffee mug and some treats for the workers.

Before it was time for him to move on to the next house, Olurunrinu picked up Deacon and gave him a big hug. He commented that the little boy was heavy for being so small and Summer laughed in agreement. This special moment was made possible because Olurunrinu was so caring and attentive at his job. Hopefully, the family will have someone as kind working in their new neighborhood. Read on to learn more about this touching story. 

Summer spoke with ABC's WFAA news team about what this friendship meant to her son. "He's really just struck up this friendship with O'Dee. (He) looks forward to Fridays. I think this is Deacon's first friend (where) he really understands what friendship is." A child's first friendship is so special, and this is something Deacon will treasure for his entire life. 

The 2-year-old wasn't the only one looking forward to Olurunrinu's visit. "Well, it's our last day seeing my brother's best friend, O'Dee," said Deacon's big sister, Ada Grace Ross. Ada is the oldest child in the Ross family, and she looked saddened by the final visit.

As soon as the children heard the recycling truck down the street, they ran to the front yard to watch. "O'Dee!" Deacon shouted. "Him coming! Him coming, him coming. Collect our garbage!"

When the interviewer asked Olurunrinu if he knew that Deacon considered him his best friend, he responded, "I didn't know, but I can see it." The man smiled and looked touched. 

Deacon seemed as happy as ever to see his friend. "I don't think he really understands that this could be the last time that he sees O'Dee," Summer said to the interviewer. Saying goodbye to a friend would be a difficult concept to understand at age 2. 

The entire visit was emotional, to say the least. "I was teary the whole time," Summer said. "Just trying to relish the moment." 

Deacon wasn't the only one losing a friend that day. "I'm gonna miss them, too," Olurunrinu said with a smile. 

apost.com

Is this such a sweet story? Do you have friendships with the service workers in your life? Let us know what you think, and be sure to pass this story on to your friends and family.