Six months ago, Erica Richardson moved into her new apartment at the end of a quiet hallway.
With minimal foot traffic near her door, she put a Ring camera mostly for peace of mind, but one day she was shocked to see the camera record a pair passing by her door.
At first, it appeared strange because Richardson’s hallway corner was normally empty. After a few more encounters, she discovered Sally and Jack, both in their 70s, were utilizing the corridors as an indoor track for their regular workouts.
“We live in Florida, so if it is not 10,000 degrees out, it is raining,” Richardson tells PEOPLE exclusively. “The sidewalks are also tripping hazards at times, and the interior hallway offers not only air conditioning but also a flat place to walk to keep them safe.”
@ericcaaa_This has become the highlight of my day fr 😭🤍🥹
Although the pair does not reside on her level, they traverse the whole eight-story building every day to get their steps in.
Touched by their commitment, the 25-year-old began leaving tiny goodies, such as granola bars and water bottles, for them to enjoy throughout their walks. She even placed a tiny placard to encourage the pair.
When Richardson first encountered the pair, she observed they were tired and short on energy. “They seemed tired and unmotivated,” she recalls. However, things altered with time.
Now, she claims, “They walk up with a smile and a pep in their step.” Seeing the transformation made the minimal effort entirely worthwhile. “It’s too cute to stop putting snacks out!” she tells me.
Richardson’s nice gesture has now become a heartwarming part of Sally and Jack’s daily routine, and it soon went viral on TikTok, with over 3.5 million views.
“Sally and Jack are such sweet and social neighbors,” she tells me. When Richardson initially moved in, the couple treated her to charcuterie and wine and gave her a tour of their flat.
That early compassion made an indelible effect, making it simple for her to want to reciprocate and add a particular touch to their daily walks.
“They have been such sweet neighbors to get to know,” Richardson adds. “Their love for one another is contagious and adorable.”
And, while passersby occasionally take themselves to her candy stand—other neighbors, Amazon drivers, FedEx couriers—she doesn’t mind at all.
In fact, she finds it endearing that no one can manage to resist a small snack on their walk down the hall.
“This experience has filled my cup more than anything,” Richardson says. “I hope people will take away that it is free to be nice to others, and a small effort can go such a long way.”