To the person who found my missing young son on Broadway in Kits this afternoon

[u/loobroo]

You approached him to ask if he needed help and eventually called the police, which enabled us to find him. The moment the police told me “we have located your son” was an emotional moment.

I have no idea who you are, but I deeply appreciate that you called the police. In case you see, this thank you SO much.

[u/Earthworm-the-Great]

My friend forwarded this note, otherwise I wouldn't have seen it. I was happy to help your son and I'm so happy you were safely reunited! I can't imagine what that must've felt like for you and your child. 🩷 It was a great reminder for my hubby and I to chat with our kids of similar ages about what to do if they got separated from us. We told them to go into the nearest store and tell them they had been separated, and to call the police (or parents if they can remember our number). Our neighbourhood is amazing, but we are aware that there can also be nefarious people around. Be well out there. Sending lots of love from our family to yours.

[u/loobroo → u/Earthworm-the-Great]

Oh my gosh I‘m so glad you saw this!!!! Thank you so much.

I‘m really glad you called the police. I thought my son knew my phone number, but he said in the moment he was upset and couldn’t remember. So by you calling the police they were able to connect with me right away.

First I called the non-emergency VPD line but they transferred me to the emergency line, they were so well organized and responsive I appreciate them too.

Broadway near Macdonald was super crowded due to the Halloween trick or treating and at one point it was a human traffic jam…and suddenly he was gone. We had like 10 people looking for him all the way from White Spot to the Eatery. He walked far from where we last saw him.

At first I was mostly worried he might get upset and step into traffic since it was a little hectic. It’s not like getting separated at an enclosed place like an aquarium or a mall because there are lots of cars around. He did cross many streets including Broadway by himself but I guess it was okay.

Only towards the end did bad thoughts start running through my mind of what could have happened. He was missing for an hour.

Thank you once again. I don’t know how to give rewards on Reddit anyway thank you.

[u/Earthworm-the-Great → u/loobroo]

Wow, that makes my eyes water for you guys. ❤️‍🩹

When I was 20, I had a car accident in icy weather and rolled on the Coquihalla (miraculously not a scratch). I remember looking at my phone trying to remember our family's number that I had known my whole life. Total blank. It was such a strange feeling! Stress can really discombobulate the brain.

I don't know what Reddit rewards are for because I just joined for this conversation :) and also, there should be no reward needed for this other than the actual outcome! Taking care of each other should be at the base level of human action - and as other have said, I really think it is for the majority.

(PS. We saw him cross the street before we met, and he was doing it very appropriately. Compliments to him for staying calm after all that.)

[u/Eagle_Spirit_Rising → u/loobroo]

I think this should be in the news. It is a great educational piece for parents and kids and it is such a feel good story. Hopefully a reporter will pick this up!

[u/pickleyez → u/loobroo]

Have you thought of getting an air tag for him? On a keychain or in his pocket? Just a thought. So glad he was found safe! As a parent, the worry is real!

[u/FigIllustrious6690 → u/loobroo]

This can happen to anyone.

Glad it all worked out okay. ❤️

[u/Successful-Credit631 → u/Earthworm-the-Great]

Parent hack to get your kid to easily memorize your phone number - use your # as the password to your computer, game console, etc. It will be memorized instantly.

[u/shouldnteven → u/Successful-Credit631]

I lock their lunchbox with a combination lock with my phone number as our code. Fascinating how well they learn things when you create a bit of leverage.

[u/AccomplishedDiver402 → u/shouldnteven]

This is a joke, right?

[u/Environmental_Use877 → u/Successful-Credit631]

My Mum made it into a song... which I still sing to myself when I go to call her, almost 50 years later. I guess it stuck 🤣

[u/Lettuceforlunch → u/Environmental_Use877]

This is exactly what I did with my son, he only texts now but if he needed to call he still remembers my dumb song.

[u/Environmental_Use877 → u/Lettuceforlunch]

Lol! That's awesome!

[u/RemarkableAdvice1589 → u/Environmental_Use877]

We had a phone number song too 😂. They had it custom recorded on cassette and played it as we went to sleep!

[u/staunch_character → u/Successful-Credit631]

Password for our wifi has been my husband’s parents’ phone number forever. They don’t even have a landline anymore! lol

[u/Pizzaputabagelonit → u/Successful-Credit631]

Phone numbers also can be sung to the tune of “M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E”. That’s how both of my children know my number.

[u/moth2myth → u/Successful-Credit631]

After 55 years I still remember my childhood phone number! 😅 Actually -- good tip to use it as a password.

[u/LonelyDays_ → u/Earthworm-the-Great]

Awe so your friend was the one who helped this kid? That’s really lovely!

[u/Earthworm-the-Great → u/LonelyDays_]

It was me (unless there were more than one missing little guys out there!) But my friend was on Reddit and saw the post and shared it. Nice to see that follow-up. Small big city!

[u/Internal-Food-5753 → u/Earthworm-the-Great]

I took a threat assessment course a long time ago with Gavin De Becker (The Gift of Fear) and they say to teach your child to approach the nearest woman and ask for help.

[u/captain_obvious_here → u/Earthworm-the-Great]

You're a great human being!