So I made my first trip to Minnesota since I had my first baby. I know, it’s January – why would a person fly to bitter-cold Minnesota in the winter? Well, my family lives there and I wanted to show off my little girl.
I
booked my flight on Southwest Airlines (because they are so nice & they don’t charge to check bags) and headed off to the airport. I was so nervous I could hardly sleep the two nights before I left the Raleigh area. But it was needless, I must say.
Upon arriving at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), I was able to check my bags curbside. The wonderful man from Southwest told me to go ahead and check the luggage first and leave the baby in the car since it’s too cold. My co-worker Alicia drove us to the airport and staying in the car and played with her. (she’s fantastic, too, in case you’ve never met her)
Then, while walking through security, the TSA lady helped me break down and re-set up my stroller. They all smiled and cooed at my baby as I walked through. They were incredible. The attendant at the door let me board the plane first (even though they’re supposed to wait until after the first group has boarded). And then an angel sat down in the row ahead of me. His name was Kevin. He said he had a 14-month old little girl at home, and he was leaving for a week without her for the first time since she was born. You could tell he already missed her and he was only gone for a few hours.
As we landed in Chicago Midway for our layover, he offered to help me get to my connecting flight (which we almost missed due to a delay in Raleigh). And as if that wasn’t enough, when our plane landed in MSP, he helped me get to baggage claim. It doesn’t sound like much, but my little girl had a “bad” diaper and he had towait at least 20 minutes for me to get out of the bathroom just outside of the gate. I couldn’t believe it. WHO DOES THAT?
Let me tell you … I shared my story with almost everybody who asked how my flight was. This gentleman was WONDERFUL. And he kept saying, “I would want someone to help my wife if she were in the same position.”
Still, in this day and age when nobody trusts anybody, it’s amazing when you meet someone like Kevin from Cary, NC. I would share with you his full name if I thought he would have wanted me to … but I think he would rather stay anonymous. So I will thank God again for his help and for sending Kevin to me last week when I really needed him! It’s people like Kevin who make me grateful I live in a place like the Research Triangle area in North Carolina. I am amazed at how friendly and helpful people are here in the Cary/Raleigh area of North Carolina. And don’t hesitate to give a lending hand to others – you’ll be glad you did!
Bud & Beth McKinney
The Team that Cares, Inc.
RE/MAX UNITED
Office: (919)851-3171