“My first flights with an infant and a toddler nearly broke me.
The moment we boarded, panic set in.
My 4-month-old was screaming because I hadn’t been able to nurse him before the flight. My 3-year-old, who had been excited just minutes before, lost her nerve. She kicked and screamed:
“I want to get off the plane! I don’t want to go!”
Two kids melting down. Dozens of eyes on me. I honestly thought we’d be kicked off the plane.
And then—a stranger reached out his arms.
He held my baby while I wrestled Caroline into her seat, buckled her in, handed over her tablet, and started a movie. Once she calmed down, he distracted her so I could finally feed Alexander.
By the time we were taxiing, the back of the plane was quiet again.
But Todd didn’t stop there.
He colored with Caroline.
He showed her the view out the window.
He kept her engaged so I could breathe.
By the end of the flight, he was her “best friend.” She even kissed his shoulder as they looked outside together.
And by some miracle—we had the same connection in Charlotte to Wilmington. Todd took us by the hand, helped us get to the gate, and then—changed his seat to sit in our row again so he could keep helping.
This man, Todd, showed me a kindness I’ve never known from a stranger.
He told me his wife once flew with their two boys and a stranger helped her in the same way. And now, he was simply paying it forward.
We could have been seated next to anyone. But instead, we sat next to one of the kindest men I’ve ever met in my life.”
[Credit to the rightful owner]