This Mom's Flight With Her Kids Was a Nightmare, Until a Fellow Passenger Went Above and Beyond

Jessica Rudeen's first flight with her four-month-old son and three-year-old daughter started in a panic but ended peacefully, thanks to the help of a kind stranger. If you've ever traveled with a screaming toddler you can probably relate to the absolute struggle of trying to keep everything in balance. According to a post Jessica shared on Facebook, both her children were "losing their minds" as they boarded their flight and she struggled with keeping them calm. A man named Todd noticed Jessica's struggle on the plane and held her baby, while she settled her daughter, Caroline. But his kindness didn't stop there, he also befriended Caroline by watching a movie with her and coloring together.

"By the end of the flight, he was Caroline's best friend," Jessica wrote. "I'm not sure if he caught the kiss she landed on his shoulder while they were looking out the window."

Luckily, Todd ended up taking the same connecting flight as Jessica and her children, and held her daughter's hand while they walked to the next terminal together. He even changed his seat so he could be closer to the family and help Jessica further on the following flight. Todd's reasoning behind the compassionate gesture? He's paying it forward. His wife had a similar experience when his children were young and someone came to their aid too.

Jessica originally searched on Facebook to find Todd and thank him, and eventually she connected with his wife. She hopes they can get together soon, and so do we. Something tells me that will be a very sweet reunion.