UPS driver asked one simple question while delivering a fresh stack of his books — and it changed the first-time author’s career overnight
Sometimes, life-changing moments arrive in the most ordinary ways. For Damian Lewis, a first-time author from New Jersey, a routine delivery to his doorstep became a turning point in his career. As reported by PEOPLE, the story went viral on TikTok when shared on January 16, 2026, under the handle @thecallmefirstblueprint, and viewers were captivated by the interaction that showed how a small gesture of support can have a big impact. Lewis had been receiving boxes of his new book, "Call Me First: A Man’s Blueprint to True Leadership at Home," for weeks, usually handed to his wife or left on the porch. On this day, however, the UPS driver, Kyle Thurkauf, carried the packages inside, and the two finally met face to face for the first time. Their brief exchange then led to an everlasting bond.
@thecallmefirstblueprint Here is a clean, search friendly video description you can drop straight in. It stays real, specific, and searchable. A UPS driver noticed the constant book deliveries at my house and asked what was going on. I handed him a copy of the book I wrote, and two days later he came back saying how much it helped him and asking where he could buy it. This book is written for men who want to lead better at home, communicate with confidence, earn real respect, and become dependable husbands and fathers. It breaks down leadership, responsibility, discipline, and presence in a way most men were never taught. If you are a husband, a father, or a man trying to step up, build structure, and stop guessing your way through life, this book was written for you. Available on Amazon and TikTok Shop. Click the link below to get your copy. Optional hashtags if you want them added #mensleadership #fatherhood #husbandgoals #selfdiscipline #callmefirst ♬ Boundless Worship - Josué Novais Piano Worship
The TikTok video showed footage captured by Lewis’s Ring camera. Thurkauf brought the boxes up to the front porch and casually asked, “What’s the deal with all these books?” Lewis explained that he wrote the books and offered the driver a copy, which the driver accepted. When Lewis confirmed that he was the author, Thurkauf responded warmly, “Yo, I’m happy for you, bro!” The clip captured the genuine surprise and excitement of the moment, showing how a brief, everyday interaction could feel meaningful. “Kyle had been dropping off boxes of my books for a while, but we had never actually met face to face,” Lewis shared with the outlet. The small exchange, at first, seemed simple, but the reaction online quickly proved otherwise, as viewers were touched by the authenticity of the encounter.
Two days later, the brief encounter took an unexpected turn. Thurkauf came back to Lewis’s home despite not having a delivery that day, simply to share how much he liked the book and ask where people could buy a copy. Lewis recalls, “For him to come back just to say that meant everything.” The timing was especially crucial. Having left his job in August 2025 to focus entirely on writing and building his brand, Lewis was running low on savings and unsure if he could continue. "Things were slow. I had about six weeks of savings left and knew I might have to walk away if something didn’t change." The TikTok video, showing the interaction between him and the driver, quickly gained traction, helping him sell over 9,000 copies of his book and providing the momentum he needed to keep pursuing his dream.
The viral moment also fostered a lasting friendship. Lewis emphasizes that Thurkauf isn’t “just the UPS driver from the video.” He also runs Preservation Pantry, a business making and selling pickles and jams, which Lewis now supports. “Kyle and I clicked right away,” Lewis commented. “After the video blew up, one of his friends reached out, we exchanged numbers, grabbed food together, and built a real friendship. We talk pretty much every day now.” Looking back, Lewis believes the experience was about timing and human connection rather than chance. “To me, it’s just two regular people crossing paths at the right time and looking out for each other. Somehow it turned into something bigger than both of us. I’m just grateful for it.”