Sometimes in life, it all comes down to timing. There are days when everything aligns, and you are in the right place at the right time. Take Liliana Leahy and her daughter, Theia, for example. The pair were headed to Walmart when the mom decided to go on a nugget run to Chick-fil-A instead. The little craving may have saved Theia’s life.
Leahy explained in an Instagram post that she and Theia were in the parking lot of Truett’s Chick-fil-A in Newnan, Georgia, ordering their food when the toddler started making strange sounds. Theia was choking, her mom was panicking, and the drive-thru employee was ready to help.
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At that moment, Leahy forgot what to do.
The frightened mom wrote in her Instagram post that Theia was crying and pointing at her throat. She knew the toddler was choking, and she had to act fast. “I have learned before to help in this situation, but I froze and panic sets in, so I screamed for help,” she wrote.
Without hesitation, Mia, a Chick-fil-A drive-thru employee, dropped what she was doing to help Theia and her mom.
Mia put her arms around Theia and began the Heimlich maneuver.
Leahy said Mia wasted no time. The mother watched helplessly as the hero saved her daughter.
“A few thrusts and Theia threw up a coin, she started to call for me, and I was so shaken by this, I cried and hugged her, making sure she’s okay," she wrote in her post. "I can’t thank Mia enough for saving Theia. She was at the right place today and didn’t hesitate for even a second,” the mom explained.
Leahy said a higher power made her postpone her trip to Walmart.
Even though their lunch stop wasn’t planned, the grateful mom said Chick-fil-A was where they were supposed to be that day.
“God, took my wheel to make that turn to CFA, He knew I needed to be there," she wrote. "It’ll take me longer to find help, or even to pull over if I didn’t make that turn. It was like less than a couple of minutes but felt like forever.”
With all the commotion, Theia only had one thing on her mind.
Theia’s no dummy. She knows that Chick-fil-A’s Icedream Cone is the best thing going, and she needed one after the day’s drama.
“I’m just so glad Theia is fine and chirping as usual now and Al she asked after this was an ice cream, so CFA gave her an ice cream,” Leahy wrote.
The restaurant commented on Leahy’s Instagram post. “So sorry this happened! We’re glad that Mia stepped in and your daughter is okay❤️,” the comment reads.
She responded, “@truettscfanewnan she is good now! We got to say thank you personally again on our way back to the car and saw Mia still working. You guys are our favorite place to eat always but this just made us more thankful for you to have amazing and kind staff ❤️❤️❤️”
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Chick-fil-A was sure to recognize Mia for her bravery.
On Truett’s Chick-fil-A Facebook page, the restaurant shouted out Mia and posted photos of her with Leahy and Theia.
“We’re so proud of you, Mia! You were in the right place at the right time, and made the choice to spring into action, which made all the difference for this family,” the post reads.
