Still in his arms at the Wichita Falls airport, it was time to make my way into the “plexiglass room” to prepare for boarding. This was the room that separated me from the man I wanted to be my forever. With tears streaming down my face, Jace*—- watched me through the thick wall of plastic. I could read his lips as he would say, “I love you” and “don’t cry love.” As broken as my heart was, having to leave the man of my dreams, his words brought me some comfort. I knew I was making this harder on both of us but I could not control my emotions. I kept replaying those beautiful words that he had said to me earlier, “don’t think of this as goodbye, the end, think of it as the beginning,” but for me, the future just felt so uncertain. It certainly didn’t help that either of us had no idea when we would be able to see each other again.
Soon I was informed that the flight would be delayed as the plane needed to be serviced, and this just heightened my sadness. We were to stay in this see-through room for another hour before I would depart. After about fifteen minutes, I realized that I could take advantage of the delay and spend more time with my love, so I asked the attendant at the door if I could pass back into the area of the airport while I waited. His answer was no as I had already gone through the screening process and they could not allow that to happen for security reasons. As other people who had dropped of their passengers began to leave one by one my Jace*—- stood there steadfast. He spent that time trying to reassure me the best he could given the circumstances that, that wall kept us apart. He was the last person there. He stayed until I walked through the door that led out to the tarmac. I turned back to see his handsome face one more time before I exited the door.
I entered the American Eagle plane settled in my seat. There was room for 33 people, but not nearly that many people were on the plane. I was happy to be in a row with an empty seat next to me because I really did not feel like being sociable. As I wiped the tears from my eyes, the flight attendant went through the instruction’s about seatbelts and safety rules and we prepared for takeoff. Once we were in the air and the seatbelt signs went off, the stewardess approached me in my seat. She sat down next to me and handed me some tissues as she softly said, “I’m sorry for what you are going through, I couldn’t help but see that you are visibly upset. Can I be of service to you?” And as quickly as those words left her mouth, I begin to spill my guts. I told her the story of Jace*—- and I as she listened with kindness.
After comforting me as best as she could, she mentioned that American Eagle was hiring stewardesses, maybe I could get a job and ask for this route? I thanked her for the suggestion and I gave it thought for a long minute but I still had my Angie and Becky at home and I needed/wanted to be an active Mom who was not away from home 3 or more days a week. I was blessed to still have Becky at home with us. Angie was 14 at the time, Becky 28. So, while I was gone on this trip to see Jace*–Becky watched over Angie, doing a wonderful job. Bottom line I wanted to be there with my girls too.
We landed at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Because of the late start from Wichita Falls, I missed my connecting flight to LAX. I was not a frequent flyer and I had never missed a flight so I had no idea how this worked. Would I have to wait until the next day for a flight out? If so, I guess I would be staying at the airport overnight. I went up to the nearest desk and asked how I went about getting another flight to LAX. The gentleman that was in charge was very helpful, connecting me with a flight that left at 9:07 pm. This flight would have me landing in LA at 10:30 pm considering the time change. I was so relieved as I didn’t want to be stranded between Jace*—- and the girls.
With some time to kill, I called the girls to let them know that my flight had been changed. It was so good to hear their voices. They were excited to hear all about my adventures with Jace*—- and I told them I would give them the details (PG version) when I got home. I hung up and decided to call my Jace*—-. I knew he was waiting for my call and would be worried if he didn’t hear from me soon. “Hi Jace*—- I’m at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. I missed my connecting flight.” Hearing his voice melted my heart, but I ached to be back in his arms. “Hi love, did you get another flight out yet?” I explained that I was able to find another flight out and would be home later that night. We talked for a while, revisiting the amazing time we shared. Neither of us wanted to get off the phone but time was growing close to when I would need to board my flight home. Jace*—- told me that he missed me, which prompted me to tell him what was in my heart, “I wish I was still there with you, sweetheart.” His reply was, “Come back to me love.” He didn’t know how much I wanted to do just that.
We would have to continue our long-distance romance for the next three months before we could be together again. It seemed like forever.
Now the time has come to leave you, one more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, I’ll be on my way
Dream about the days to come when I won’t have to leave alone
About the times I won’t have to say
Kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver
Road That Led Me Here 
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