Anonymous couple leaves $500 tip for Fresno server

FRESNO, Calif. -- Complete strangers left a massive tip for a local server, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Karissa Warkentin is walking into work with something extra in her pocketbook. On a recent shift at the North Fresno Mimi's Cafe, she got a tip any server would love -- especially on the worst of days.

"I wasn't even supposed to work," said Warkentin. "I picked up this shift from another girl. I actually forgot I had picked it up, so I was rushing to work."

Clearly she didn't let her frustration show to her customers because one couple filled out their receipt to cover much more than the usual 15 percent.

"Their bill was $39," said Warkentin. "I look at their tab to close it out so I can leave, and I see $200 on the tip line, and I'm like, 'Is this really happening?'"

Warkentin took a picture of the receipt -- a reminder of the customers that she says continued to bless her when she went to double-check the $200 tip wasn't a mistake and to say 'thank you.'

"Me and my fiance, we have been praying for finances. Like, we're getting married in November. It's just been such a big issue," said Warkentin. "I've had a bad night at work, you have no idea how much you've blessed me. And she's like, 'OK, well let me change it. Let me see it.'"

The customer crossed off the 200 and changed it to $500. "Once I see that, I completely just lose it," said Warkentin.

Warkentin and her fiance, Lance Roman, have been planning their wedding nonstop since their engagement.

Warkentin's sister, Shaela, was nearly killed and left blind when a DUI driver plowed into Warkentin's car with Shaela in the backseat. Shaela is thriving years after the crash thanks to the generosity of the Fresno community. The customer had no way to know these two are sisters, but they both say this sign of random kindness is a reminder of their faith in God and humanity.

"I think it's awesome that people have that in their hearts to just perform random acts of kindness like this," Shaela said.

As for Warkentin and Roman, the money will be well-spent on their wedding day. "The fact that I just didn't want to be there, and then I get completely blessed by this; it was just really cool," said Warkentin.

The couple is getting married on Nov. 8. They don't know the customers that left them the $500 tip, but they say they're more than welcome to crash their wedding and celebrate with them.