Boomer's Daily Gesture to Gen Z Coworker Melts Hearts: 'Healing'

Newsweek

09-05-2025

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A Generation Z woman has implored people to make friends with their senior co-workers, after revealing the adorable gesture her boomer colleague does for her every day.
Almost a year after starting her job as a licensed health insurance agent, Lori Rakes, 23, has gained plenty of new friends, but one in particular has melted hearts online. Indeed, not only did her older coworker take her under his wing, but he has also continued to show his generosity by bringing Rakes a "homemade lunch almost every day."
Indeed, despite the age difference between the Gen Zer and the baby boomer, the two colleagues have developed an enviable friendship. Rakes, of Ohio, told Newsweek that 73-year-old Don is "like a grandpa" to her, and his kindness has helped her so much over recent months.
"My grandparents live in another state, but it's so nice having someone close to me who can fill that role when I need it. It's relieving to have someone close to me who can make my job so fulfilling and make it feel more like a home," Rakes said.
From left: Lori Rakes poses at work; and her senior coworker, Don, who brings her homemade lunches.
From left: Lori Rakes poses at work; and her senior coworker, Don, who brings her homemade lunches.
@lorirakes20 / TikTok
She continued: "Don brings me food every day, whether it's snacks or meals. He will often cook big meals for our entire team. In the past, he's brought in goulash, pasta salad, chicken bakes, different types of soups, and he brings in doughnuts for the team every Friday."
It takes a lot of time and forward thinking to be organized enough to prep food before work, which is why Don's gesture makes all the difference. The fact that he takes time out of his day to make her life that bit easier "means so much" to Rakes. She certainly can't thank him enough.
Rakes often tries to return the favor by bringing in food for the department, too.
"He definitely does more for me than I do for him, so that's something I'd like to work on," she told Newsweek.
Rakes shared a clip on TikTok (@lorirakes20) showing how fortunate she is to have an older colleague who brings her delicious food so regularly. In the video, she showed a Tupperware container containing ham and bean soup that Don gave her.
Layered over the video, the caption added: "I can't explain how healing it is for my inner child to have someone do something like that for me."
In the days since it was posted, the clip has gone viral with more than 772,300 views and over 119,900 likes at the time of writing.
Rakes said she loves seeing so many internet users witness Don's kindness, something that has led to plenty of praise for him. As a result, the Gen Zer hopes it will encourage others to befriend their older co-workers, as she said that you can "learn so much about life" from them.
"Our families aren't always accessible, and we spend so much of our time at work, so it's really rewarding to create a family where you work," Rakes said. "I started this job only a year ago, so being new to the role was really hard, but he made me feel welcome. You really can learn so much about yourself by interacting with people who have experienced more life than you."
Many friendships might come from shared experiences and similarities, but Rakes added that sometimes the best friendships can be with those who are different to ourselves.
The TikTok video encouraging others to make friends with their older colleagues has amassed over 1,700 comments so far.
One comment reads: "I bet it makes his heart happy just as much as it is healing yours."
Another TikTok user wrote: "the world needs more Dons."
A third person added: "We all need to have a don in our life!"
One comment read: "This made me tear up! How sweet."
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