everybody has a story

You know, airports and airplanes are funny places.

I realized this when I said goodbye to a rugby player this morning that I spent 15 minutes talking to. We met after he made a joke about how sleepy I looked for our 7 a.m. flight. When we were about to de-board, he said a quick “see ya later!” as I got up to leave, but then I thought Well no you probably won’t see me later. Hope your therapy goes well and… have a nice life?

So, the whole flying experience can be weird. You occassionally will meet a person, like someone seated next to you on the plane, that you talk with for hours. And then it’s time to deboard the plane, and it’s awkward. You’re all “Well, it’s been so nice talking with you. Good luck with your job/family/trip/etc”, all while thinking “It’s been great/strange talking with you. Now that we’ve told each other our whole life stories, I hope you have a great life. See ya!”.

Do you know what I mean? Does this happen to anyone else? I’m usually up for talking to my neighbor on the flight TO my destination, but those chances are shot on my way home. Just let me sleep in peace. No, I don’t need any peanuts, pretzels, or cookies. Did you really just wake me up to ask me that? Erica, be kind. Thank you for asking. Good night.

You know what else? We usually don’t even catch each other’s names until we are saying goodbye. “It’s been so nice meeting you…… Sorry, I’m Bill. Did I even tell you that?” “No, Bill. It’s been nice talking with you too. I’m Erica.”

Have a nice life.

My roommates used to laugh at me when I’d come home and talk about the person I met on my flight. “Ooooh, so you’re THAT girl on the flight that talks to people!” But I promise I’m not that girl. Pinky swear!

It’d be an understatement to say that I’ve flown a lot in the last four years. Between my long distance relationship and my new job, I’m pretty sure I’ve been on nearly 30 trips easy. And when I think about all the people that I have sat next to on a flight, or while waiting at my gate, or while eating a quick meal, I really wish I would have written their stories down later. Everybody honestly has a story. I’m not talking about those conversations on a flight that make you want to turn around and honestly say “Shut up already! You are SO loud.” Y’all KNOW what I’m talking about. c’mon.

It’s rather those conversations that are more quiet. More sincere. With nice, normal people who are just genuinely interested in finding out why a girl who looks 16 has two rings on her left hand and is going through security with a laptop and projector. Because I’m a public speaker, and speak in school assemblies. And I’m actually 23. Surprising, huh!? 

It’s conversations with those ladies who are enroute to see their grandchildren. Those retired-Army businessmen who’d light up like Christmas trees when I’d tell them I was on my way to West Point to see my boyfriend. Those people who would be seated next to me teary-eyed as they were on their ways to funerals. That cancer survivor. The college professor from Stanford. The father who was one of 14 children in rural South Carolina. The injured baseball player. The Lt. Col. who was on his way to Afghanistan in 2009 to bring a mess of troops home with him and close down business.

It’s been awesome. So yeah, flying can be funny like that.

Ah. I just want to say that I am so happy to be home in Tennessee tonight. Not staying for long though. Little ‘ol Erica is headed out on a pretty big sudden trip this weekend. Probably won’t be blogging for several weeks. To be continued.