This Military Dad Left 199 Sweet Goodnight Kisses for His Son During Deployment

home insemination Kit

When a parent in the military heads off for duty, it can be tough on the family left behind. One thoughtful dad found a way to make his absence a little easier for his young son. Meet Jason Thompson, a major in the Air Force who left behind a jar filled with 199 Hershey’s kisses, each representing a night he’d be away serving in Kuwait. Every time little Timmy missed his dad, he could count on those kisses to remind him that daddy was just a sweet treat away.

No matter where their adventures took them—be it South Carolina, Ohio, Delaware, or Maryland—Timmy made sure to bring his jar of kisses along. As noted by Jason’s wife, Linda, Timmy never missed out on his nightly goodnight kiss, ensuring that he felt connected to his dad, even from afar.

The sacrifices military families make during deployments are immense. Since 2001, over 2 million American children have experienced a parent’s deployment. It’s vital for these families to find comforting moments during such stressful times, which can lead to feelings of sadness. Just look at Timmy’s face every time he pulled out a kiss from that jar. It’s clear that each one helped soothe the worries that come with having a loved one overseas. Plus, as those kisses dwindled, Timmy had a visual countdown to when he’d be reunited with his dad, making the wait a little sweeter.

For more insights into navigating family life, check out other pieces on our blog like this one about the home insemination kit. You can also learn more about fertility at Make a Mom and find excellent resources for pregnancy at Mount Sinai.

In summary, Jason Thompson’s heartwarming gesture of leaving behind 199 goodnight kisses not only kept his son connected during his deployment but also provided comfort and joy in a challenging time.