That is a very sweet story. In general I believe it is the dad's that children will run to when they're scared-- I know, you can start a weekly scary movie fest! (post of @hanshotfirst hiding under a blanket while his daughter pats him and says "it's okay, dad, it's not real" hahaha)
I think it actually went the other way with my daughter, she preferred my husband when she was young, now as a teenager he 'doesn't get it, have to talk to mom' haha!
When was your visit? I am a two hour drive from Niagara Falls :)
I was there this week. Oh yeah. If I am not mistaken you live near New York. And you are VERY right. You know I am a total scaredy cat!
You may have mentioned the scaredy cat aspect of yourself LOL. I live in New York, about twenty miles from Ithaca in the direction of Buffalo :) I also have a number of friends who actually live in Buffalo, it's too bad I didn't know, would have been great fun to meet you. You'd love my husband, the feeling would be mutual ;)