More than three decades ago, Floyd Martin joined the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier. Fresh out of high school and intimidated by the hard work that comes with the job, Floyd wasn’t sure he’d cut it as a mailman.
But he stuck with it and soon found he loved his new career – and, more importantly, the people he serves.
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Floyd has worked the same route in downtown Marietta, Georgia for the past 20 years and says the people who live there have become family to him.
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“They would invite me to dinner. [On] holidays, they would try to make sure I wasn’t alone. They bring gifts to me. If my truck broke down, which it did, they would come out to check on me. They were there for me,” he said.
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And he was there for them as well, celebrating birthdays and other milestones, bringing treats for their pets, and always offering support with a smile. His kindness definitely didn’t go unnoticed by his customers.
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As such, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate when they heard Floyd was retiring. So a few neighbors began secretly planning a neighborhood party to show all their appreciation for their beloved mailman.
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They spread the news with fliers, asking fellow neighbors to decorate their mailboxes. While they weren’t sure how many people would participate, they never expected the incredible turnout.
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On Floyd’s last day as a postal carrier, hundreds of adults, children, and even teenagers gathered in the streets, excited to surprise him with a retirement party he’d never forget.
Neighbor Jennifer Brett, a reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, documented the festivities on Twitter, sharing photos of mailboxes decorated with messages of love and congratulations for Floyd.
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As for Floyd, well, he was simply overwhelmed by all the support, though no less grateful. More than 300 people of all ages came to share treasured memories of their favorite mailman and lined up to shower him with hugs.
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Afterwards, they had another gift in store for Floyd once he officially retired: they started a GoFundMe campaign to send Floyd on a well-deserved vacation to Hawaii! They’ve already collected enough donations, too; in fact, they raised more than six times the goal!
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Floyd may have been hesitant about his job all those years ago, but now, after making so many lifelong friends, he couldn’t be happier with his decision to stay. Whoever takes on Floyd’s route next will be a very lucky mailman or woman.
Listen to Floyd’s heartfelt message to his customers turned friends in the video below, and share to spread congratulations on his retirement.
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