Rick Einhelz has worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 39 years. He took the job because it promised a stable career after his military service, and he’s devoted to the Baltimore route, just past the city-county line, that he’s worked for 15 years.

“I’ve established really nice relationships along the way,” he says.

One such relationship is with the Croft family. Ericka and Russell first met Rick around the time their oldest child, Shapard, was born. In the ensuing years, the Croft family grew from one child to four, and each member struck up a special rapport with their friendly postal worker.

Every Christmas, the family surprises him with a homemade gift. He opens the mailbox to find fresh-baked cookies, a child’s painted masterpiece, a tender herb plant grown from seed.

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