So I am a first time dad. Last night I had one of those experiences, that make it all worth while.
About 3.30-4am we had a storm roll over our place. My little boy came running into our room crying. The thunder had woken him up and scared him.
This time he did not want Mum, he crawled over to me and buried his face into my chest. He wrapped his little arms as tightly as he could around my neck. I told him it would be ok and we both fell asleep.
All the hard work we have put in as parents, pays off in little moments like that