This is the first of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

My first RAK was for Edward Sotomayor Jr. I paid for the lady behind me at the In-N-Out drive through. Eddie was 34 years old at the time of his death and was known to his friends as “Top Hat Eddie”, because he wore top hats when out at events. From all online accounts, he was super friendly, beloved among the LGBTQ community as a promoter and event organizer. He leaves behind a partner (who was at the club that night but stayed outside once the shooting started in part due to a text message from Eddie) and a large family. Rest in peace, Eddie.