My 4-month-old was crying loudly because I couldn’t nurse him before getting on the plane due to some unexpected events.
My 3-year-old, who had been excited earlier, suddenly got scared and started kicking and screaming, saying, “I want to get off the plane! I don’t want to go!” I honestly thought we might get kicked off the plane.
So, with both kids upset, I was trying my best to calm them down.
That’s when this kind man reached out and offered to hold the baby while I buckled Caroline in, gave her a tablet, and started her movie. Once she was settled, he helped distract her so I could feed Alexander.
By the time we were taxiing, the back of the plane was no longer filled with screams. During the flight, he colored and watched a movie with Caroline, talked with her, and showed her the things outside the window.
By the end of the flight, Caroline had decided he was her new best friend. I’m not sure if he noticed the kiss she gave him on his shoulder as they looked out the window.
We ended up having the same connection on our next flight from Charlotte to Wilmington, a flight he often takes for work. He helped us get off the plane and guided us to the next gate with Caroline in hand.
If that wasn’t enough, he changed his seat on the next flight to sit with us and continue helping.
This man, Todd, showed me kindness and compassion I will never forget. He told me his wife had a similar experience when their boys were young, and a stranger showed her the same kindness.
We could have been seated next to anyone, but we ended up next to one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life.