Pulling the Infertility Card

This week I walked into my bank to ask for the largest cashier's check I have ever requested  in my life. More than when I've purchased a car or closed on our home...it was a BIG check.  The funds had been sitting safely in our savings account waiting to make their way onto a slip of paper made payable to our infertility specialists. I stepped up to the counter and provided my ID and account information and requested my money.

The teller began processing the check and then told me there would be a $10 bank fee to "process" the cashiers check. One would think that once you're pulling five figures from your savings account, what's $10 more? Oh, not so fast my friend! I asked the teller if he could waive the fee because my motto is that it never hurts to ask. :) He kindly informed me that unfortunately he could not and continued the $10 worth of processing he was doing. He had to call the bank manager over to approve and sign the check since it was above the amount he could authorize and I was struck by inspiration. 

I leaned across the counter and said to the manager, "Excuse me, but to you have the authority to waive this $10 administrative fee?" He took a look at the computer screen, and back at me and asked if I was making a down payment on a house to which I replied, "No, but I'm making a down payment on my family with IVF. Can you help me out with this fee?"

I walked out of the bank with my hefty check, an extra $10 left in my bank account, and a spring in my step. Sometimes the little victories count.