Jessica Rudeen has to travel from Missouri to North Carolina in order to see her mom, however her children were having a tough morning and wasn't too eager to get onto the airplane. Things got even more challenging when she could nurse her 4-month =-old toddler before they got on the plane and in no time the baby turned into a grumpy little man. 

Jessica's 3-year-old toddler, who at first was excited to fly, wasn't faring so well either - she was kicking and screaming to be let off the plane. With no one to help her, all Jessica could do was apologize to anyone who gave her dirty glances, and hope that she could calm down her little ones before they got kicked off the flight.

When mom finally found their assigned seats, that's when she saw him - the unlucky chap who would be sitting inches away from her unhappy brood. Without hesitation, the elderly man looked up at Jessica and told her exactly what she should do with those kids of hers.

This was Jessica's first flight with her infant son, Alexander, and her little girl, Caroline. The frazzled mom had her hands full, but she had no choice and needed to carry on! Panic stricken and hauling two children, Jessica boarded the plane with two crying children.

Mom hoped she could get her kids settled in before someone complained to the flight attendant. That's when the stranger in the next seat reached out and literally offered a helping hand. On her Facebook page, Jessica said:

"So with two kids losing their minds, I was desperately trying to calm the situation. This man reached for the baby and held him while I forced a seatbelt on Caroline, got her tablet and started her movie. Once she was settled and relatively calmed, he distracted her so that I could feed Alexander."

Jessica was beyond relieved at the man's kindness, and even more grateful when he radiated a calming, grandfather energy for her children to bask in.

Facebook/Jessica Rudeen

While the plane was taxiing down the runway, the back of the cabin was filled with the sound of sweet silence. There were no more baby boys crying or tiny tots screaming.

"This guy, Todd, showed me kindness and compassion that I've never known from another person. His wife, he said, had a similar experience when their two boys were young and a stranger showed her the same kindness."

Todd Walker was super patient with Caroline, and although he could have chosen to put on his headphones and look away, he much preferred to color a book and watch a movie with her. Todd kept the little cutie entertained with fun, lighthearted conversation, as only experienced grandpa's can do, and pointed out all the neat things that were just outside the window.

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

Mom said that Caroline was very chatty and loved hanging out with him! More importantly, the toddler's fear of flying had completely vanished.

Facebook/Jessica Rudeen

After the plane landed, it wasn't goodbye just yet. Jessica was amazed when she discovered that Todd was going to be on the same connecting flight! Perhaps there was a little bit of divine intervention at play here?

"Amazingly, we had the same connection in Charlotte to Wilmington, a connection he navigates frequently for work. He helped us get off the plane and led us to the next gate with Caroline in hand. If that wasn't enough, he changed his seat on the next flight to sit in our row to help us."

That wasn't the only connection that was made that day! If anyone happened to glance at Todd and Caroline at the airport, they would have seen what appeared to be a loving grandfather and his adorable granddaughter.

Facebook/Jessica Rudeen

This is just another reminder that there are lots of good people in the world. They will literally reach out a helping hand, even when they're not asked to. 

"I am blown away by God's hand in this because we could have been placed next to anyone, but we were seated next to one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life."

Jessica can't wrap her head around what happened, and she hopes that her experience encourages and inspires others to do good for their neighbors, and see the good things that surround us every day.