Some jobs are about more than just cleaning carpets. They’re about connection, about shared stories, and about those little moments that remind you why you do what you do. Today was one of those jobs.
As soon as I pulled up and stepped out of my van, I was greeted before I even had the chance to knock. A woman walked up to me from the garage with a big smile, her hand extended in gratitude. For a second, I thought maybe something was wrong—maybe I parked in the wrong spot, or maybe there was some kind of issue. But no, she was simply that warm and welcoming.
“Thank you so much for coming out!” she said enthusiastically.
Her home was fairly new, and as I started checking the carpets, it was clear they were in great shape. She mentioned that her cat may have had a few accidents, and she wanted to get ahead of any potential issues before they got out of hand. When I let her know the carpets weren’t bad at all, she was relieved. You could see the peace of mind settle in.
Her dog, on the other hand, was locked in her office temporarily so she wouldn’t be in the way. When I finally got around to that room and opened the door, the dog ran up to me, full of love and excitement. And that’s when I noticed something different—she was wearing a diaper.
“She just entered womanhood,” the customer explained with a little chuckle. “I want to get her fixed, but I have to wait a while.”
That moment alone made me smile, but what really made this job stand out was the way our conversation unfolded. Usually, I’m the one breaking the ice, asking customers how their day is going or how they found me. But today, the roles were reversed. She was the one asking the questions, and it was a refreshing change of pace.
She asked how I got into carpet cleaning, and I gave her the abbreviated version—though I’m sure it still took longer than expected. But she listened intently, and when I finished, she had this look of deep understanding. Then she said something that stuck with me:
“This wasn’t a coincidence that we crossed paths today.”
She went on to talk about an upcoming religious retreat she was attending, something she was very excited about. The way she spoke, it was clear that she deeply believed in purpose and timing. Our conversation naturally moved from there to her career, her parents, and even her podcast—which she later sent me several episodes of.
By this point, the atmosphere had shifted from a routine job to something more meaningful. We weren’t just exchanging small talk; we were having a real conversation about life, about purpose, about the moments that connect people in unexpected ways.
Then, she said something that nearly caught me off guard:
“You’re called to do this. And I don’t just mean cleaning carpets—I mean touching people’s lives.”
It was one of those moments that could have gotten emotional real fast. But, you know, I had to stay smooth.
Before I left, she sent me off with a little something extra—homemade Butter Gooey Cake. And let me tell you, it was delicious. The perfect way to end a truly special job.
I left that house feeling grateful. Some days, work is just work. But other days, it’s a reminder that what I do isn’t just about clean carpets. It’s about the people, the conversations, and the connections. And today? Today was one of those days.