(WBIR-KNOXVILLE) At a time dominated by text messages and e-mail, one local boy is making the mailman feel more important than ever.
Four-and-a-half-year-old Carter Lawson idolizes his neighborhood mailman, who he calls "Mailman Mike."
"Anyone could just be like 'Go away kid,' but Mike has really gone out of his way to interact with Carter, and it's been really cute," said Carter's mom, Cassie Lawson.
Mike has been the Lawsons' mailman for about nine months, and over that time he's become close with the boy. So close that they now even have matching outfits.
"Oh, I just couldn't believe he got a full mailman's costume," said Mike.
Carter, who says he wants to be a postman when he grows up, was initially interested in the mail truck. When it was hot, Carter would bring Mike out a water and a snack. To reciprocate, Mike would sometimes bring Carter candy and a letter.
The two now walk through the neighborhood delivering mail and talking to neighbors.
"Every letter carrier has stops he looks forward to and this is the one I look forward to everyday," said Mike.
On their deliveries, Carter asks lots of questions and Mike keeps him safe from neighborhood dogs.
"Don't get in there! Those dogs aren't real friendly," Mike advises at one point.
The two only spend a short amount of time together everyday, but it's a time both look forward to.
"He's the end of my day, and the best part of my day. Not just because it's the end, because he's such a cute little guy," said Mike.
Carter and his mom will soon go to the post office to take a tour, so Carter can see the other half of Mike's job.
