9

Remember yesterday? Today was a step worse. With the hopes and expectations of nothing being as ridiculous as yesterday, Hannah and I got to the airport for round two. We realized that Hannah didn’t have her ID which only turned out to be a minor problem and a little extra frisking in security. Once we boarded our plane we breathed a sigh of relief, a bit in awe of us sitting together in the first row.

Within the next 15 minutes of being in the air we hear the flight attendant say we’re turning around to go back to Cincinnati because of a mechanical malfunction. Next thing we know she’s saying brace for impact on landing and chanting “heads down lean forward” for the entire descent. At first Hannah and I were laughing but she kept chanting it and we were immediately reflective. Honestly for 15 seconds I thought, “Hmm, what if I end up dying?” In that really brief moment I realized a huge sense of peace and even immense gratitude of not only the life I’ve lived but the solid hope of forever being in the presence of the Lord. Once that feeling faded, probably because of having a pilot dad and understanding nothing was seriously wrong, Hannah and I went back to being a bit incredulous.

We missed our next two flights and hung out at the airport for our last possible chance to get out west. We were really low on the standby list and had no hope of getting on but might as well have tried. After everyone boarded the gate agent called my name and said I had the last seat. Meaning I’d have to leave Hannah behind. And in that awful moment when I decided to go out and meet my dad I saw what an incredible friend I have in her. Who deserves someone who puts your desires above their own graciously, kindly and even enthusiastically? Hannah, I don’t deserve you.