Diary: My flight was good.

March 14th, 2024: Written as recalled throughout the day. 

8 hours later..! Well, actually, many more than 8...

We got to the airport with an hour to spare at rush hour and it was shockingly empty. I didn't even have to wait in line to check my bag. That's not normal, given our track record of the queue taking about 30 minutes to an hour. So, I stood with my mom about 5 minutes longer than I planned to say goodbye.

I still rushed to my terminal because it tends to fill up quickly, but I also, luckily, managed to find a seat. The lights flickered a bit above me and I felt a bit awkward around so many people, but otherwise all was normal.

I did notice the three very handsome men in front of me were speaking French, though. My high school teacher might have been proud of me... Maybe. I could at the very least make out some of their names-- pretty sure I heard Philipe and Jean-Paul. They really didn't mind bending over to organize their things, sticking their butts in my face in the skinny hallway between our chairs.

At some point the agent boarding us had the later groups split off, but all except three of us in the last groups heard it right, so we got in the right queue and got on the plane early.

Imagine my surprise-- I think I might have found God in this moment actually-- the middle seat had been torn out. In terms of flying scenarios, that is absolutely one hell of a blessing. I felt so grateful, it was like heaven itself opening up for me.

I got settled in, and I mean as settled as anyone can when their thighs are flush with the armrests, and waited. A woman sat down next to me who seemed friendly enough, so we got to chatting.

“Sure lucked out with this, huh?” I said, pointing to the seat. Best I could do, honestly, I'm not good at this kind of thing. But it worked, we talked for a good while before splitting off to do our own things.

Throughout the flight, I got so many drinks I had no idea what to do with myself. We got the standard pretzels first, like any self respecting airline should provide. I mean I payed out my ass for it; I better get my damn pretzels.

With the pretzels, I got a full sized Heineken and two spites— all free of course. You know damn well I spilled half that Heineken on myself not long after getting it. All over my foot. And nobody said anything.

Not long after we were served dinner- some kind of dry chicken soup concoction, I really want paying attention. I just needed to eat as fast as possible. The little cheesecake in a cup was fan-fucking-tastic tho.

I spent some time playing Chrono Trigger and that got me by up until the 5 hour mark of the journey. At that point I'd been served about 5 or so cups of cranberry juice and two coffees.. Needless to say, things were getting dire every 10 minutes or so. Thankfully I was sitting just in front of the bathrooms. I came to know them as a second home.

About an hour and a half before we were to land, the lights came back on rather suddenly. My seat mate and I glanced at each other, grateful we’d been awake for that. We were served one more little meal before we landed, and chatted away the whole time. She even gave me a cookie. 

(These just hit so different coming from a friend.)

Once we landed, we split off, only to meet right back up at baggage claim. It felt like meeting an old friend even tho we had only been separated for about twenty minutes.

We got our suitcases that were conveniently placed next to each other, and went on our way, but not before trading details. She told me, “You’ve got a far more interesting life than any of us. I want to see how it plays out.”

I might have paraphrased a little, but I will never forget the sentiment. I'd never felt like my life was all that Interesting, but looking back on the last year, I see that I've been on an extraordinary journey.

My new found friend and I met up with my fiance. I must have looked a little silly running to him. Our goodbye to my friend was brief enough, but she hugged me and wished us all the luck in the world. I know we’re gonna need it.

With that, Adam, his sibling, father, and I all left the airport. I'm excited to see what will unfold for me this month.