In a video of the special moment, Teel is shown being ushered into an area of the office by Nelson. She looks confused and somewhat alarmed as her coworkers gather around.

As she tried to guess what was going on, Risinger said he knew her 20-year work anniversary was coming up, but he wanted to reward her early because she was closing on a new house.

Risinger then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a stack of cash as he counted the money, totaling $10,000.

“Aww Sophie I’m so happy for you,” one of her coworkers said as Risinger continued counting.

“But that’s not quite enough, because she’s at 20 right,” Nelson said, reaching into his own pocket to reveal 10 additional stacks of cash.

He counted the money out and presented her with an additional $10,000.

Teel’s coworkers cheered and clapped for the long-time employee. Cari LeDoux, a scheduling coordinator at Risinger & Nelson Orthodontic Specialists, said it was a “surreal” moment.

“The doctors called all the employees up to the front and even clients got to see Teel get her service award,” she told Blavity exclusively. “[Teel] had no idea — it was a huge surprise.”

Ledoux told Blavity that while Teel’s 20-year anniversary is the “first week of May,” Risinger and Nelson wanted to give her the bonus early, hoping it would help her buy a few things for her new home.

“It was perfect timing,” she said.

Ledoux has worked with Teel for seven years, and said the dental assistant is a “leader” and “always a joy” to work with.

“She’s always upbeat,” she said. “She makes patients feel at home when they visit us.”