Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of spending time in a hospital alone knows how jarring the experience can be. You might be receiving the best care possible, but even the most attentive nurses can’t be there at all times. This means that, even simple tasks like doing your hair can be impossible.

Recently, a 36-year-old by the name of Jaci Selby found herself in this very situation. You see, Selby suffers from endometriosis and she was prepping for surgery to remove some scar tissue. Like anyone in that situation, she was feeling quite lonely and was finding it difficult to take care of herself, especially her hair.

In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Jaci shared her thoughts on the situation. “Chronic pain and illness can be so isolating. You’re in the hospital at all hours. You sometimes can’t do the smallest thing for yourself,” Jaci said.

All she wanted at that moment was to feel like herself again, but she was too weak to make it happen. “It’s impossible to lift your arms with incisions in your abdomen and I was there alone with nobody to help out really,” she explained.

So, she took to social media, visiting a beauty-related Facebook group that she was part of. “I asked if anyone in the Bay Area could come braid my hair.”

Luckily, a kind woman by the name of Jaclyn Medrano got the message. “I just felt so much sympathy for her. She just wanted simple braids before she went into surgery and I felt like it was my job to reach out to her and see where she was so I could come to the rescue.” Jaclyn said.

“…I’ve always been the type to care for others even when I don’t know them. I guess it’s a Pisces thing,” she added

When Jaclyn arrived at the hospital, the two became fast friends. “We instantly clicked, we have the same name! She’s so sweet and real and we laughed so much my nurse thought we were old friends,” said Jaci.

After some time, though, Jaclyn knew it was time to say goodbye to her new, unlikely friend. “I almost didn’t want to leave and wanted to talk more but I could tell she was tired from the medication,” said Jaclyn. “So once I was done I packed up and gave her a hug and was praying for the best for her surgery. I told her if she needed me again to just let me know.”

“A lot of people have dealt with that surreal loneliness of being in the hospital,” Jaci said. “For her to come do that and just make me laugh and feel a little better about myself meant a lot.”

We think this is a beautiful story for many reasons, the most obvious being that a complete stranger went out of her way to make someone’s day. But pure generosity aside, we are also so struck by Jaci’s willingness to be vulnerable and ask for help. It can be scary, and sometimes embarrassing to “go it alone.” Not only did Jaci get what she needed through asking for assistance, but she also touched Jaclyn’s life, as well.

It just goes to show you that, being authentic and communicating your own needs to the world can pay off–in more ways than one!

We’d love to hear your take on this heartwarming story of beauty and kindness. Were you moved by Jaci’s tale? Can you relate to her story? Have you ever done anything similar for a stranger before?