As panic set in, I told the flight crew. They alerted security, but hours passed with no sign of his parents. Finn stayed calm, trusting, drawing napkin doodles and asking for juice. I asked if I could stay with him until his parents were found. Eventually, a pale, crying woman ran up shouting his name. His mother.

A man followed. Her husband, she said. But the confusion on their faces was chilling. They hadn’t even realized he was missing. Later, a call to child protective services confirmed my instinct—there were red flags.

Weeks later, I got another call. Finn needed a temporary foster home. Without thinking, I asked if I could take him in.

It took paperwork and interviews, but soon Finn stood at my door with a small duffel and hopeful eyes. “Hello,” he said.

“Hello, Finn,” I replied. “Welcome home.”

It wasn’t perfect. I didn’t become an instant mom. But for six months, I gave him a safe, loving space. When his parents were finally ready to care for him again, saying goodbye nearly broke me. But I knew I’d done something that mattered.

Sometimes, life surprises us with the people we’re meant to meet. And even brief moments can leave a lasting impact.