Why Does Caring Feel Like This?

So here's the thing, I've always been really into taking care of others. I'm an artist by trade but I also work as a caregiver for folks who can't take care of themselves anymore. It sounds like a simple job, right? But lately, I find myself getting way too invested in it. Like, sometimes when I'm feeding someone or giving them a bath, I start to feel this weird connection, almost... parental. And that's weird because I've never thought about having kids. At all. I started questioning everything last week. We had this elderly man who needed extra care and he was just the sweetest person ever. He'd call me 'sweetheart' and thank me like I was doing him some amazing favor. It wasn't until I found myself getting a little choked up during his birthday party at the nursing home that I realized, oh shit, this is really affecting me. Then there's the other side of it, I find this weird thrill in being able to fix things for them, in their complete dependence on me. Like, when they need help with something and look up at me like 'I can't do this without you,' I feel... powerful? Maybe that sounds terrible but it feels kinda good to be the one someone looks to. But here's where I get all messed up, I know for a fact that this isn't about being their parent. It's not even really about them needing me, it's more like something in my head gets lit up when I'm taking care of them, and it feels oddly satisfying. I don't want to feel weird about helping others or caring deeply for those who need help; I just can't figure out why this particular dynamic tickles something inside me. So yeah, that's where I am right now, trying to make sense of what should be a simple care situation into some kind of complex emotional knot. Am I the asshole here for feeling all these things? Or is it okay to enjoy being needed and wanted by someone in such an intimate way?