I'm thinking of leaving a $0 tip after waitress "paid it forward" for our meal
Why were you not giving a tip if your meal was already paid for?
No!!! I'm considering leaving a $0 tip because she paid my meal forward
While you got your meal for free, it is not good to not pay a tip. She still did the work and now people will think you are cheap.
You just don't get it. I will leave a tip, maybe a small one.
If you really loved the service then you should still tip, as that is a customary thing to do, and people rely on tips to make money for their families, school, and living expenses, so don't try and skip giving tips to service workers.