In a world divided by race, politics, gender, and generational differences, it’s a rare and beautiful thing to see those gaps bridged by the act of being merely human.
A former U.S. Marine named Joseph did exactly that in a recent encounter he had with an endearing 16-month-old girl this weekend.
The girl’s father, Kevin Armentrout, tells the story in a viral Facebook post that has since warmed hearts across the nation.
“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,” wrote Kevin. “He reached out and asked if she wanted to sit with him. He pulled out his tablet and showed her how to draw with it, they watched cartoons together, and she offered him snacks.”
Facebook/Kevin Armentrout
What blew the father away was not only the inviting and patient attitude that this complete stranger from Oklahoma had with his baby girl but also the extended length of time he invested in her.