Photo : Girl finds friendship, shares birthday cupcake with garbage collector

BLOOMINGTON, IL - A picture of a girl in Bloomington, Illinois and her favorite garbage man has gone viral. The 3-year-old's mom posted it after her daughter shared a birthday cupcake with the garbage collector.

FOX's Alyssa Paldo caught up with the duo on garbage day , of course.

For most, Garbage Day isn't exactly a day you get dressed up for. But Thursday's are a special day for 3-year-old Brooklyn Andracke.

"She really took a liking to the garbage truck," Andrake said.

What started as a fascination with the flashing lights and the horn anxiously waiting, smiling and waving as the truck made its way into the neighborhood turned into a highly-anticipated meeting with the guy inside the truck, a year in the making.

"The first time she met him it was I think to her like meeting a celebrity. She was just in awe of him and that he was standing at the end of our driveway the garbage man," Andrake said

That man is Delvar Dopson. Turns out, he also was looking forward to seeing the little girl.

"My day really starts when I pull into this neighborhood and I see Brooklyn," Dopson said.

"She dreamt about you last night. She always dreams about Santa, but last night she dreamt about you." Delvar: "Sorry Santa," Andrake laughed.

"Regardless of title or recognition it's about recognizing your gift and giving it to the world." Dopson said. "I believe this is my life work and what I was born to do. Just give a piece of that kindness."

As for the little girl and her superhero sanitation specialist --it's an unlikely friendship that will last far beyond garbage day.

Dopson is also a mentor to children. He says other children in the community also run out to see the smiling garbage man. It's how he knows he's fulfilling his life's mission.