Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

While Adam and Alena Ruoff were driving to their wedding reception last Saturday, random strangers gave them a $100 bill at a stoplight at the Belt. The bill is framed to remind them of the random act of kindness.

The newlyweds were already having the best day of their lives.

They’d said their “I do’s” at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and were cruising up the Belt Highway to their 500-person reception at the St. Joseph Country Club when the waves and honks came.

Perhaps the “Just Married” sign on the back of the bright yellow ’55 Chevy gave them away.

Saturday, July 19, 2:15 p.m., red stop light by Pizza Hut.

That’s when and where the two women in the red van with a Kansas license plate pulled up next to Alena and Adam Ruoff. The Ruoffs were in the right lane with the windows down, the women in the left.

“The woman in the passenger seat got out of the car, ran over to us and threw some money at us. It looked like a $10 bill. We tried giving it back, and she said, ‘No, you keep it.’ But then she was gone, and the light changed. And they were off,” Ms. Ruoff said.

Mr. Ruoff, wearing his black tuxedo, and Ms. Ruoff, wearing a veil and ivory dress that resembled Belle’s in “Beauty and the Beast,” got a closer look at the money. It was a $100 bill.

“This van they were in was definitely an older style one. It didn’t seem like they had a lot of money. They probably work really hard for their money, and here they are giving us a significant chunk of change,” Ms. Ruoff said.

The 22-year-olds went on to enjoy their big reception, complete with dueling pianos.

Their unexpected gift now sits inside a picture frame on their bedroom dresser.

Ms. Ruoff’s grandmother gave them the white frame with pearls as a wedding gift. Once they receive their wedding pictures, a wedding photo will replace the $100 bill.

Don’t expect them to spend the money.

“We’re going to pass it on. When someone does that for you, there’s no way you can spend it,” Ms. Ruoff said. “Maybe one day we’ll be the crazy people jumping out of the car and throwing money at people.”

Nancy Hull can be reached at nancyhull@npgco.com.