Here's a little update on my sneaky airport scheme:
My Boy and I made it to LAX as planned. He'd been so good sitting perched atop my suitcase the entire trek through the airport. We made it to our next gate and checked to see if David (my brother) had somehow gotten to the gate early. Nope. I was so nervous that he was going to miss the flight since he had just over an hour to get his bags, clear customs, run to another terminal, check in, and clear security again. I took My Boy back near the security checkpoint so we could watch for Uncle Dave. I sat My Boy down in those chairs people use for putting their shoes back on, turned on Blues Clues to keep him from running off and commenced watching for David.
My heart leapt at every person who came off the escalator and into the screening area, but everytime I was disappointed. I was nervously pacing and checking my phone for updates from my family. At one point, I think the officers were worried I was going to cause trouble or maybe pass out, because one approached me and said, "Ma'am, are you OK?"
Finally it was time to board the plane and still no sign of him. The Boy and I walked to the gate and I was scheming ways to stall the plane. I got to the agent's desk at the gate and they said he hadn't checked in yet. They told me I had 15 minutes until the plane left and that I could wait in the terminal until the last second. The Boy and I sat on the floor in the empty terminal while I despaired. I aksed if there was any way they could wait for a while to leave since it was the last flight of the day. They asked me if I could call him to see where he was, but obviously he didn't have a cell phone. They thought we'd been traveling together and I'd just lost him. As soon as they figured out I was surprising him and that we hadn't seen each other for two years, they softened up a bit. Just as I had resigned myself to get on the plane without him, he charged through the door. He was sweating and out of breath, and he couldn't believe that I was there waving to him. As soon as I hugged him, I lost it and started crying. I was so relieved that he'd made it, and so happy to see him. I called my mom to update here, but all I could manage was to sob, "He made it." She couldn't understand anything else I'd said.
So that's the story...we made it. Dave didn't let anything stand in the way of his getting home...not 100 lbs. of luggage or a broken escalator or long lines at customs. And I've recovered nicely from the emotional wreck that I was. We had such a fun weekend with family and hearing stories of David's adventures in the Philippines. It was a whirlwind weekend, and I can't believe it's over. But I'm so relieved that our surprise worked out!
My Boy and I made it to LAX as planned. He'd been so good sitting perched atop my suitcase the entire trek through the airport. We made it to our next gate and checked to see if David (my brother) had somehow gotten to the gate early. Nope. I was so nervous that he was going to miss the flight since he had just over an hour to get his bags, clear customs, run to another terminal, check in, and clear security again. I took My Boy back near the security checkpoint so we could watch for Uncle Dave. I sat My Boy down in those chairs people use for putting their shoes back on, turned on Blues Clues to keep him from running off and commenced watching for David.
My heart leapt at every person who came off the escalator and into the screening area, but everytime I was disappointed. I was nervously pacing and checking my phone for updates from my family. At one point, I think the officers were worried I was going to cause trouble or maybe pass out, because one approached me and said, "Ma'am, are you OK?"
Finally it was time to board the plane and still no sign of him. The Boy and I walked to the gate and I was scheming ways to stall the plane. I got to the agent's desk at the gate and they said he hadn't checked in yet. They told me I had 15 minutes until the plane left and that I could wait in the terminal until the last second. The Boy and I sat on the floor in the empty terminal while I despaired. I aksed if there was any way they could wait for a while to leave since it was the last flight of the day. They asked me if I could call him to see where he was, but obviously he didn't have a cell phone. They thought we'd been traveling together and I'd just lost him. As soon as they figured out I was surprising him and that we hadn't seen each other for two years, they softened up a bit. Just as I had resigned myself to get on the plane without him, he charged through the door. He was sweating and out of breath, and he couldn't believe that I was there waving to him. As soon as I hugged him, I lost it and started crying. I was so relieved that he'd made it, and so happy to see him. I called my mom to update here, but all I could manage was to sob, "He made it." She couldn't understand anything else I'd said.
So that's the story...we made it. Dave didn't let anything stand in the way of his getting home...not 100 lbs. of luggage or a broken escalator or long lines at customs. And I've recovered nicely from the emotional wreck that I was. We had such a fun weekend with family and hearing stories of David's adventures in the Philippines. It was a whirlwind weekend, and I can't believe it's over. But I'm so relieved that our surprise worked out!
Here we are at the airport, and of course, I'm the one making a stupid face...I was trying to explain my camera to my brother-in-law.
2 comments:
I'm so happy you guys had a good time and that your brother finally made it! I know I would have been a complete wreck waiting like that.
What brought him to the Philippines?
I love the story! I am glad he made it home and even better that you got to fly together
Liz
Post a Comment