PLYMOUTH, Minn. — While some kids sell lemonade, 9-year-old Millie Benjamin is giving out something far sweeter: compliments.
From her front yard in Plymouth, Millie greets passersby with hand-drawn “FREE COMPLIMENTS” signs, brightening the days of neighbors, drivers, and even first responders.
“Seeing people happy makes me happy,” Millie says. Her compliments are creative and thoughtful: from praising a police officer’s presence to calling a mail carrier “humanity in action.” The gesture has drawn smiles, hugs, and even tears of joy from those she encounters.
Millie’s parents, Holly and Josh Benjamin, initially worried about her safety and the unusual stand. But they quickly saw the impact. “People came,” Holly says. “She’s just been a compliment girl from the start.”
The stand has attracted attention from the community, including Plymouth police and firefighters, as well as strangers like Miguel Auchcama and Sawyer Radermacher, who stopped by for a dose of Millie’s kindness.
“No one should pay to be happy,” Millie tells visitors, making it clear that her mission is generosity, not profit. Her efforts serve as a reminder of the simple power of kindness, even on dreary fall days.