How many of you get to do that? Better question might be, how many of you WANT to do that?! Last week Casey took advantage of a long layover and boarded the plane with me to Newcastle, England. It was a rare 72 hour layover, especially uncommon during the summer months. Having just completed our adoption home study and with the school year wrapped up at Manhattan School of Music, this trip couldn't have come at a better time. Here are some of the many highlights from our first trip together in England:
When I went through flight attendant training ten years ago I remember learning the slogan "marry me, fly for free". What a novel way to rope a spouse - they even sold t-shirts printed with this message! It was a complete coincidence that Casey and I both had a love for aviation as children. We meticulously learned all about the different airlines, logos, hubs and routes. Casey would collect inflight magazines and maps and I would make frequent trips to LAX to watch the planes takeoff and land. Needless to say, he LOVES coming to work with me. It's not just about the destination but the actual experience of going to the airport, sitting in the lounge, and the actual airplane ride itself. Even though Casey and my parents travel standby/space available, if they are lucky they can oftentimes sit in first class. Who wouldn't like that? For all of you out there with kids, I highly recommend you encourage your children to find employment with an airline! My job as a flight attendant can at times be very challenging and difficult, but the feeling I get upon arriving at incredible destinations (including EWR on the way home) is completely worth it. Casey and I cannot wait to show our kids the world and introduce them to pieces of history, exotic foods and different cultures.
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We spent July 4th celebrating Casey's goddaughter Emilia's 1st birthday. She has certainly grown up fast and was all smiles the whole day! Our gift was a small white upright piano - perfect right? Casey will have to give her piano lessons someday but for now she is content on improvising her own tunes (or more accurately - novice bangings). We made it back home just in time to catch the local fireworks display in the neighboring town of Maplewood. What a spectacular show! There is something very special about fireworks. In that brief 15 minutes everyone's attention is drawn in awe and wonder of the powerful bursts of color and light. I think that maybe this is what meeting our first child will feel like. We will probably be in shock at first… likely followed by a "wow"… and then most likely speechless as we gaze in amazement. I cannot wait!
We are so very fortunate to be in a position to adopt children. I remind myself how lucky I am to have been adopted myself. Who knows how different my life would be right now had I not been chosen by my parents. There are many kids already born and yet to born that will need a family to love them. Despite all of the obstacles and challenges that we might still have to face, I am confident that we will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Knowing that we have the support of many means the world to us. Thank you!
The collection is coming together slowly but surely. I am on target to have 12 pieces in the final collection. Please save the date: August 21, 2015 and continue to help spread the word about our story.
Have a great weekend!
David & (Casey)