Cute photo shows toddler sprinting to her firefighter dad: 'She had the biggest grin from ear-to-ear'

Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 24, 2023. It has since been updated.

Children see their parents as role models. They emulate their parents' behavior and sometimes even follow in their parent's footsteps in their careers too, especially if they had a chance to observe their parents at work while growing up. An adorable picture of a  firefighter's toddler running up to him after he successfully handled a work situation is winning the internet. Captain Dave Colson has been working with the Glendale, Arizona, Fire Department, for 20 years. His children were able to see their father in action for the first time on January 15. Colson led a team to respond to a natural gas leak that happened on the street where he lives with his family. He described his four children as "proud kids that day."

After they handled the leak which was reportedly minor, he saw that his wife and children were watching it all take place. He told GMA, "We were just out front talking and I looked down the street and my wife and the kids were outside in the front yard." Colson added, "We finished up everything we were doing and then I just started walking down the street to go say hi."

That's when he saw his youngest daughter, 2-year-old Jenna, running towards him wearing just a diaper. Colson's wife was able to capture the moment and it was later shared on the Glendale Fire Department's Facebook page. 

However, for Colson, all that mattered at that moment was the look on Jenna's face as she ran towards him with her arms outstretched for a hug. Colson said, "The picture is great but seeing her face on the run is just an amazing view to have." "She just had the biggest grin from ear-to-ear and probably the last 20, 30 feet of it, her arms were wide open, running."

Talking more about her, he said, "She's a fourth child in a very active house that has a lot of fun so she's a ball of energy and excitement." "She’s always happy and easygoing and just a lot of fun." Colson also described Jenna as a "2-year-old who loves her family." Colson has four kids ages 8, 6, 4 and 2 and they love what he does for a living. "So for them for once to see it as it was actually happening on the street, they were excited about it," Colson said. "They asked many questions when I came home from work, about everything that was going on."

He found the response to the picture on social media heart-warming. Many on Facebook thanked Colson for his work as a firefighter and for being such a good role model for his kids. Priscilla Luttinen wrote in the post, "When daddy needs a hug!!! This is what family and life is truly about!!" Susan Badger commented, "This should be blown to a huge poster. She’s precious but look at her Daddy’s smile!!! Thank you to all the firefighters!! And thanks Captain for all you do especially being a great dad!!!" Dermot Brady commented, "Well done to Capt. Colson. There should always be time for family, especially the little ones. A big hello to all in the Glendale Fire Department from Donegal County Fire Service in Ireland."