Veteran Democrat aide Ty Matsdorf, who is typically bogged down amassing blistering opposition research, finally found something Republican to be thankful for on Friday: Sen. John McCain.

My wife, juggling groceries and a newborn in the rain, got a helping hand from @SenJohnMcCain. Pushed her cart to car. Thank you, Sen.

— Ty Matsdorf (@tymatsdorf) December 6, 2013

Per Matsdorf, his mother accompanied his wife and newborn daughter to the store. But as they made their way back to the car, grandma had to rush back into the Teeter, leaving mama Matsdorf to wrestle with the bulky baby carrier, a full cart and the rain.

“As she was exiting, McCain was entering with an empty cart. Upon seeing my wife, he immediately stopped and unprompted said, ‘Let me help you,’” Matsdorf said of the kindly gesture. “My wife said ‘no, no’ but he insisted saying, ‘I know how hard it is with kids.’ He then left his empty cart, and pushed my wife’s all the way to our car, which apparently was really far away because my wife couldn’t find parking.”

Once at the car, Matsdorf said McCain even offered to help unload the groceries. But by then his mother had returned, and Team Matsdorf was able to resume control of the parenting fray.

Here’s to knights in shining armor, whatever their political stripe might be.