Bonaire Jan 2023

Day 1--Travel Day

Today we had our flight to Bonaire (after spending the night in Miami). It was a bit harried at the airport. Once we arrived at the airport, I realized I left my favorite earrings back at the hotel on the vanity. I mentioned this and then all of a sudden Chris said, “I’ll get them”. I said that Nikki was on the phone with the hotel and I’d have them shipped. All of a sudden, Chris was gone. I even used my “mom voice” and told him that him making this trip was more important than my earrings. His response, “we’ll have both” referring to the earrings and him making the trip. He literally ran to the hotel on foot! About 20 minutes later he arrived (via Uber) as we were roughly 4 people away from checking in. Anxiety level: high to extremely high.

Checking in took a bit of time with 10 people on 3 different reservations. The customer service agent was very personable and got us processed as quickly as she could. By the time we made it to the gate, it was time to board the plane!!! That’s cutting it a bit too close for my liking but it all worked out and I have pictures of us on the plane. Note: we arrived at the airport 3 hours before our flight.

Once everyone was on the plane, a flight attendant told the couple across from us that there was a weight issue with the plane and since they were the last to board, they needed to get off the plane. Horrified, the couple said, “But we’re getting married tomorrow”. The attendant apologized but said it was out of her hands and they needed to get off the plane and they could try to rebook for the next flight which was on Monday. After a few more, “I can’t believe this” and “what about the wedding”, the couple got off the plane. Chris and Nikki requested assistance and told the attendant they would give up their seats so this couple could have them and proceed with their destination wedding.

This created a lot of “WHAT…Really, you’re going to give up your seats?” They said having just gotten married in August, they could not imagine the stress and headache this couple would feel and the likely impossibility of moving a destination wedding in less than 24 hours. So off the plane they went. My sister, Michelle, was sitting towards the front of the plane and was gobsmacked to see Nikki and Chris getting off the plane and I was trying to shout what happened to her from 20 rows back. Fortunately, the pilot got on the microphone and explained that two people volunteered to give up their seats so the couple getting married could get back on the plane. At this, those on the plane erupted into applause. So, I have pictures of them on the plane….and pictures of them off the plane (from one of the flight attendants).

While this was all surreal, we are in awe at the kids for making such a selfless decision and incredibly generous act of kindness. I have no doubt they just earned a huge amount of karma points! The couple who got back on the plane were crying and we exchanged names and contact information. Chris said his only request was to see pictures from the wedding. Wow! The airline put Nikki and Chris up in a hotel and assured them they would be on the next flight on Monday.

After entering the country without them, we proceeded to the house and got settled. We also tested out the pool and jumped in the ocean!