Good afternoon my fellow friends attempting to navigate this beautiful life.
I hope this post finds you doing well and not too stressed out with the holidays swiftly approaching.
Today's post is brought to you by "first-time mom taking her first flight, ALONE, with her eight-week-old".
I was recently flown home for work. It was a last minute thing and since I'm still breastfeeding, Triston came with me on the adventure. Mind you, I'm still figuring out life as a new mom, so throwing in a flight on top of packing for us both and figuring out car seat arrangements once I got home was all new to me. Brent, my husband, got a gate pass (didn't know these existed) and escorted me to my gate with Triston in tow. We sat at the gate while on-lookers smiled politely with that look that says, "Dear God, please do not have that baby sitting behind me on this flight. I just want some peace and quiet." I smiled back with a look that said, "I'm a first-time mom, first-time flyer so I don't have a clue as to what's about to go down. So...I'm just as nervous as you are." When it was almost time to board Brent left to go back home. But before he did, we tag-teamed getting Triston all situated in the Ergo. I looked like a little Kindergarten kid ready for school. I was packed perfectly, with my small carry-on (diaper bag) neatly packed with all of the essentials on the top, for easy access....and Brent made his exit. I whispered a prayer.
Once the plane was ready to board I heard the lady on the intercom, "Passengers who may take longer to board, or those with young children may board at this time." Okay...this is it, I thought. Triston was now asleep and it was going according to plan. It's funny how slow and quiet one can move when a baby is asleep on their chest when they really need them to be....I silently stood up, grabbed my carry-on and headed toward the line with the rest of the parents and children.
As I made my way down the walkway I realized what a completely new world I had just entered. When waiting for flights in the past I always just ignored the call for families with young children to board...it never mattered to me. But now...I came to the end of the line awaiting to board the aircraft. There was a three-year-old in front of me who was very excited to show me his koala luggage that was new. He proceeded to tell me about where they were going and why. His parents just looked at me and smiled and I smiled back. Another boy was pacing up and down the line of people waiting to board, saying hello to each person as he passed. His parents were focused on getting his infant sister to calm down. Their exhausted eyes met mine and we simultaneously smiled at each other. One set of parents were busy trying to get their stroller broken down in time to leave it on the side to be picked up immediately after the flight; everyone just passed them to board the plane. They rolled their eyes and smiled as I boarded before them. I smiled back.
I couldn't help but laugh to myself. I am a new member of the "passengers who may take longer to board" Club. But what that really means is, "This boarding process is a nut-house when families travel together and we all GET IT." And even if I don't get it now, they know I WILL get it in the future so I can't judge..so everyone just smiles at each other with a smile that represents: embarrassment, nervousness, disappointment, exhaustion, and just-plain-over-it emotions. It also says, "Welcome to the crazy train, we're all goin flyin! See you on the other side. The best of luck to each of you."
And just like that I joined the club. It was quite the learning curve. We all survived, as families do, but it is definitely an interesting adventure when you travel with kids....and I'm proud to have joined the crazy train.
