Monday morning I was on my way to meet friends for breakfast at Parc in Center City Philadelphia. 18th Street was blocked off because they were shooting the series Reacher and I had to navigate my way through Rittenhouse Square to the other end of the street. A crew member asked me to wait to enter the restaurant; they were about to shoot a scene. Two police cars took off in front of me, turned and raced down Locust Street. That was some excitement for a Monday morning.

Once seated the waiter greeted us and said, “This is a crazy morning.”

My friend Em and I agreed. “They’re shooting right outside the restaurant!”

He said, “That, and Joe Biden and Jill are here.” He looked up and I followed his gaze to discover Joe Biden standing by the bar. I decided I had to meet him. 

I walked over and watched as he spoke with the star of Reacher and took pictures with him and other crew members. A security man stood to his left and Hunter Biden to his right. Hunter looked at me curiously, making sure I was safe for his dad. Once the star left, I walked up to Biden and extended my hand. He held it with a firm grip.

I said, “Mr. President, thank you for getting us out of Covid and making us strong again.”

“Can I hug you?” he asked. I put out my arms. As he let go of me, he said, “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to get her back.”

I said, “We’re America, right? We can do anything.” He smiled.

I walked away with tears in my eyes. It was such a fatherly gesture to comfort me and tell me it was going to be alright. Despite his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer, Biden looked healthy and strong: he was clear-eyed and engaged with me. I was overwhelmed by his kindness. He is a man of service who operates from a place of love and empathy. I’m so glad I took the opportunity to meet him. And grateful to Em for taking pictures.