While working at a fast food restaurant one day, I noticed a woman had accidentally left behind her Louis Vuitton handbag on a table. I waited for about 20 minutes in case she came back, but when it became clear she wasn’t returning, I decided to do the right thing and placed the bag in the lost and found without looking inside. Then I went back to work and didn’t think much more about it.

A month passed, and the bag remained unclaimed. One afternoon, my manager jokingly asked if I wanted it since no one had come back for it. I hesitated, but finally said yes. When I retrieved the bag and opened it for the first time, I was surprised to find it completely empty, except for a single folded piece of paper. Curious, I opened the note to find a receipt and a short, handwritten message.

The message said, “To the girl who needed a new purse during the holidays.” The bag had originally cost $1,700, according to the receipt. That’s when I realized this hadn’t been a mistake—this was an intentional gift. It was a random act of kindness from someone who had decided to leave a luxury item for a stranger who might need it more. I was deeply moved by the quiet generosity and the thought behind it.

I packed my belongings into the purse and took it home. It wasn’t just a designer bag—it gave me a boost of confidence, especially when I brought it with me to job interviews. Looking more polished helped me feel more prepared, even though I was still struggling financially at the time. The bag became a small but meaningful part of my journey toward self-improvement.

I still own the bag today. It’s a constant reminder of kindness from someone I never met. That unexpected gift during a difficult time inspired me to be more generous myself. Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to pay it forward, knowing that even the smallest thoughtful act can make a big difference in someone’s life.