She texted mid-flight that she was flying over him. She burst out laughing when she checked security footage

Finding joy in the little things doesn’t always come naturally, and as adults, we often forget what it feels like to be carefree like a child, to move without hesitation, or to feel something as simple as wonder. But sometimes, that childlike part of us returns in an instant, and reminds us it never truly left. Author and speaker Carlos Whittaker was reminded of that on an ordinary Tuesday morning when he dropped his wife off at the airport at 6:30 AM. By 7:30, he was back home, sipping coffee on the porch, when her text came through: "I’m flying over you right now." Whittaker shared the moment on Instagram (@loswhit), where he showed what happened next.

That simple message pulled him off the porch and into the yard. He shared, "Something in me lit up. I ran into the yard like a kid. Phone in one hand. Heart in the clouds. Jumping. Waving. Hoping she could see me from 30,000 feet." His home security camera recorded the entire scene, the dash, the excitement, and the uninhibited wave to the sky. Watching it back, Whittaker said he felt a bit embarrassed at first, as "a grown man, running around like a 10-year-old." But reflection replaced embarrassment quickly as he said, "That little boy is still in there. And he’s not a problem. He’s a gift."

The video was a reminder of what people often bury under composure. "We spend so much of our lives trying to act like we have it all together that we forget how to feel wonder in the small things. Don’t lose that part of you. Invite it out more often. Wonder isn’t childish. It’s sacred," he said. That ability to feel wonder is not only exhilarating but also has real emotional benefits. In a study done by Yale University, researchers found that "finding moments of awe in daily life can shift how we view ourselves and our lives overall." Participants reported a 17% drop in depressive symptoms, a 12% reduction in stress, and a 16% boost in overall well-being. The story resonated far and wide, drawing comments from those who were moved by its simplicity.

@kaileydickerson wrote, "I would have done the exact same thing!! 'Phone in one hand. Heart in the clouds.'" @kristy commented, "This is the most romantic and sweet and heartwarming thing I’ve seen in a long, long while." @jennlewiskeller wrote, "I love this more than words can say. Two reasons: your childlike wonder, and also, the love you have for your wife to do this, to have this moment of connectedness with her." Some shared similar things they do to keep the childlike spirit alive. @ellisonclan8 said, "This is the sweetest. My 19-year-old son is in aviation school, and sometimes he flies past our house. We all run out just like that and watch with awe as my baby flies through the air. Wonder is a gift!" @rlr_0701 chimed in, "A friend and I text each other whenever we drive by the other’s office, and we wave at each other excitedly each time, even if we can’t see each other. Little things like that are the best!!"

You can follow Carlos Whittaker (@loswhit) for more family and career content.