Shannen Findlay
International Travel

Photo of toddler and passenger at airport goes viral and will melt your heart

It seems like a normal, everyday scenario but a father who has posted a picture of his daughter playing on an iPad has gone viral, garnering over 405,000 reactions and 21,000 comments.

Kevin Armentrout was inspired by an experience he and his daughter shared with a kind stranger at an airport – so much so he posted it to Facebook.

He wrote: “Last night, while waiting to board our plane, @_carterjean_ was being her usual inquisitive self wanting to meet and say 'hi' to everyone she could, until she walked up on this man. He reached out and asked if she wanted to sit with him.” 

The father says that from there on, the two strangers bonded over cartoons and snacks.

Continuing on Armentrout explained: “He pulled out his tablet and showed her how to draw with it, they watched cartoons together, and she offered him snacks. This wasn’t a short little exchange, this was 45 minutes.”

The father took a heartwarming image of the two friends who were both intently staring at the iPad screen.

Armentrout then gave an inspiring message, somewhat explaining why he decided to upload the image to social media of his daughter, Carter Jean, and the man who has been identified as Joseph Pat Wright.

“Watching them in that moment, I couldn’t help but think, different genders, different races, different generations, and the best of friends. This is the world I want for her,” Armentrout added.

“In a country that is continuously fed that it’s so deeply divided by beliefs, I want her life to be filled with moments like this...

“Not liberal or conservative republican or democrat, socialist or capitalist, just HUMAN.”

Carter Jean’s dad even thanked Wright for his gesture of kindness writing: “Joseph from @samsungus in Oklahoma, if this should happen to find you. Thank you for showing my daughter what kindness and compassion looks like. Continue to shine your light in the world. #HateIsLearned”

The comments reached up to 21,000 – the post even reaching Wright’s family members who shared their thoughts.

Linda Taylor, Wright’s sister-in-law, said she was not surprised by his kindness.

“He’s a true blessing and your little girl is an angel herself. She’ll have a friend forever in him.”

Users on Facebook even took to Wright’s page to thank him for his friendliness.

One user who commented they were from Australia wrote: “I just read about your lovely interaction with the little girl at the airport. You are a wonderful person and exactly what this world needs. Have a great day!” Another commended Mr Wright saying, “The world needs more kind people like you!”

Tags:
international travel, viral post, viral, airport, baby, facebook, social media