It was a hot summer day at the end of June, and I was heading to New York City to celebrate one of my best friend’s bridal showers. I booked my flight on Delta because I could use miles, even though one of my friends was flying on JetBlue. I almost booked on JetBlue, but I said, “Nah, let me save the money.”
I was on the plane, and we were about to leave the gate when the pilot came on and announced there was a mechanical issue. I rolled my eyes and thought, Oh great, here we go. They said it should only take an hour. An hour went by, and they came back on the loudspeaker…it would be another two hours because they needed a part flown in. We all had to deplane with our things. At this point I’m stressed and worried; will I make it to NYC in time to have dinner with my girls?
I get off the plane and immediately go to the bar. I needed a glass of wine! It was noon after all! Lots of flights were delayed that day, so the bar was packed. I ordered my typical red wine and sat down at the high top tables, next to an older couple. We struck up a conversation, and I just happened to glance around the bar, and noticed this adorable guy who had just walked in. He was kind of nerdy hot with his glasses. I watched him as he ordered a beer from the bar. Intrigued, I decided to smile at him.
And so…I smiled and didn’t look away. He caught my stare and looked over his shoulder as if I was looking at someone else! He had sort of a puzzled look on his face, as if he couldn’t believe I was smiling at him. Immediately I knew this was a good guy, not your typical south Florida jerk.
So, I watched him off, and on as he paced for about 20 minutes near my table. I was trying to figure out if he was alone or with a group of guys he had struck up a conversation with. I wasn’t sure. I thought, Hm, he’s single, probably never been married, maybe 32, no kids. Little did I know.
I continue chatting with the older couple, but was dying to go talk to this guy. The next thing I know, he comes up behind us and says, “Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt…” and I nearly spit my wine out. “I think I know you from somewhere,” he says.
My heart skipped a thousand beats, and the older couple got up to board their flight. They pulled chairs close to us so we could sit together.
We talked for maybe five minutes, and I learned that he is from Atlanta and works in Fort Lauderdale. We were making small talk when the older couple came back and frantically said, “Molly your flight is boarding!” Of course I had not been paying any attention to my phone, and I said, “Dustin, I’m so sorry, I have to go.” He immediately said, “I am in Fort Lauderdale all the time and I’d love to take you to dinner next time I’m here.”
What? He already asked me out on a date. BOOM. Heck yes. I was impressed to say the least. After being separated from my husband for only three months, the dating world was not so sweet. But he was.
I gave him my number and told him text me. I left for the gate. My flight wasn’t quite boarding yet, so I sat down and checked my phone and sure enough, he had texted. The next thing I knew, I looked up and there he was; he had found my gate! “You can’t get rid of me that easily,” he said. Heart bursting! We talked for about another 10 minutes and found out we had a lot in common. I kept thinking, Is this guy for real?
As the plane took off, he sent me a text that said, “Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?”
And I responded, “Yes!”
And everything does happen for a reason. Had my flight not been delayed that day, I don’t know that I would have met the love of my life. It turns out, we had so much in common, grew up about 45 minutes away from each other and were both going through divorces. Our first date was July 4th, 2016, and it was one of the most amazing and magical nights, and it’s been that way ever since. Sure, life gets tough—living in two different states, travel, plus having 5 children, it has its share of challenges! But there is so much love there, so much respect, and so much admiration. I am thankful beyond words that I have met this amazing human and that we are partners in this crazy thing called life. Thank you, Delta.
Author: Molly Carey
Email: [email protected]
Author Bio: Molly Carey is a personal stylist, red wine lover and hopeless romantic. She began her fashion and lifestyle blog in 2014. Molly hails from South Florida, where she grew up on a barrier island and has been driving a boat since the age of nine. When she’s not busy writing, she enjoys spending time with her son Jake (2.5 yrs) and other family, her dog Doodle, her cat Mufasa and her boyfriend Dustin. Molly also enjoys cooking, surfing, shopping and all things fashion.
Link to social media or website: Instagram @lala_styled | http://www.lalastyled.com
