LAKEWOOD, Ohio - When Owen Russell Teets, 18, recently graduated from Lakewood High School, his family knew better than to have a party to celebrate the milestone.

"Our son has special needs and parties aren't his thing," said Teets mother, Sarah Russell. "Instead, we decided to do a snail mail party. We sent out announcements saying he loves to get mail. He loves seeing his name on things.

"So getting one more letter in our mailbox is just one more smile on his face. He looks every day for the mail. It could be anything with his name on it. I think it's just his way of autonomy - this is me, this is mine, it belongs to me."

So far Russell said her son has received close to 100 cards. One that recently stood out was from a complete stranger, who after hearing about the announcement and seeing Teets' smile took it upon herself to send the young man a graduation card.

"I know it must have been a struggle for him to graduate," said Elyria resident Mary Ann Janda. "He looks very proud of himself, and it's a big deal."

Not only was the kindness well received by Teets, but Russell said she was overwhelmed by the fact Janda would go out of her way to make Owen's day.

"I've been known to be a talker and she rendered me speechless," Russell said. "Owen has spent the majority of his life isolated, whether by choice or circumstances. He doesn't have a lot of friends. He doesn't have relationships outside of us. To have him make a connection with another human being that wasn't the result of therapeutic services, education intervention, family or friends, that was him on his own.

"His smile connected with another person. We waited 18 years for that, for him to make that kind of difference in someone else's life. That's all we want for our children is for them to make a difference in some way. So having somebody else's day be better because of my child is pretty profound."

Janda said she didn't send the card for publicity. In her mind, she's just following the golden rule.

"I just think people need to be kind to each other," Janda said. "Any time you can be kind to someone, you should do so."

For those who want to make Teets' day, his address is:

Owen Russell Teets

2077 Elbur (up)

Lakewood, Ohio, 44107