A carrier bonds with a customer

Gaylend “Zee” Zahn, a San Diego letter carrier, has a special assistant: Roman Toriello, a young man with special needs who enjoys helping Zahn on his route.

Each day, Roman, 16, accompanies Zahn as he makes deliveries in the neighborhood, including opening gates for the carrier.

“Although Roman cannot read a clock, he knows when it’s time to ‘meet Zee’ and ‘deliver the mail’ because he stops watching his cartoons, puts on his sandals and gets his sunglasses and USPS ball cap,” said Tasha Toriello, Roman’s mom.

Zahn said the excitement is mutual — he enjoys spending part of his day with Roman.

“To help him out … just a little every single day makes my heart feel good,” Zahn said.