When I asked the waiter for my ticket, he pointed to an empty table and said they had paid my tab.

That’s a first. A student bought me dinner. Anonymously.

Wasn’t sure how to respond. Should I send her a thank you note? Write a comment at the bottom of her essay—next to the grade?

“You must get your criteria in the thesis statement. 65—Oh, and thanks for dinner!”

I felt sheepish, awkward, embarrassed.

But, also, noticed, appreciated, surprised.

Well, I put the note on her essay. “I’ve paid for a lot of student meals,” I wrote, “but never had one buy mine. You made my day.”

And it didn’t look too awkward placed alongside her 92.