About two months ago, my dad called and told me that he and my stepmom (otherwise known as Mimi and Bops) were planning a trip to Houston. Mimi was going to drive in on Thursday from San Antonio and he was planning to fly into Houston on Friday. And since he knew that Caroline had been talking about wanting to ride on an airplane, he asked if she could fly with him to Houston.
There was also some talk of going to the Children’s Museum or the zoo, but none of that mattered to Caroline because all she heard was the part about “FLYING ON AN AIRPLANE!!”
Do you know what I’ve heard every three minutes for the past two months?
“IS IT TIME FOR ME TO GO FLY ON THE AIRPLANE? WHEN AM I GOING ON THE AIRPLANE? IS TODAY THE DAY I’M GOING ON THE AIRPLANE?”
It was enough to make me think ill thoughts about the Wright Brothers and their dream of mechanical flying machines.
So, lesson learned. Do not tell a four-year-old about big, exciting plans to fly on a forty minute Southwest flight to Houston more than one minute in advance of takeoff.
Hindsight.
When last Thursday arrived I was still a fool with no thought to consequences, or things that might cause me to develop a twitch, and I told her “Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!”
That announcement set in motion a chain of airplane readiness preparation that hasn’t been seen since Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic.
First we had to pack her bag with essentials for her trip. I drew the line when she tried to pack her Hello Kitty! alarm clock and her three foot tall stuffed dinosaur.
Then we had to pick out the appropriate flying outfit. She originally wanted to wear a skirt with a top that went with her Halloween costume from two years ago paired with her turquoise rainbow socks, but I convinced her she might regret her decision to wear a pirate shirt that’s three sizes too small.
And finally, I had to roll her hair in sponge rollers because she wanted to look her “MOST BEAUTIFUL” for the plane ride.
She woke up at 5:30 Friday morning. I took her to the bathroom and then explained she needed to go back to sleep because I didn’t want to punish Mimi and Bops with an overtired four-year-old hyped up on the pure rush of adrenaline and airplane peanuts.
“I’m trying to go back to sleep but I don’t want to miss my plane!”
“You’re not going to miss your plane. Close your eyes and go back to sleep!”
And because God likes to laugh at me, a plane flew overhead at that moment.
“IS THAT MY PLANE?”
Yes, yes it is. And you missed it. You missed it because you were too busy trying to convince me that you need to wear a pirate shirt that restricts blood flow to your extremities.
“No, baby. That’s not your plane. I promise I won’t let you miss your plane.”
Mercifully, she fell back asleep until 8 a.m. She was dressed and ready to go within four minutes of getting out of bed.
I thought the sunglasses were a nice touch.
Since the flight was scheduled to leave at 11:00, I told Bops we’d pick him up at 9:30 to make sure they arrived in plenty of time and so he could have the joy of listening to her ask “HOW MUCH LONGER?” for the remaining hour and a half until departure.
Here they are when I dropped them off at the airport for Caroline and Bop’s BIG ADVENTURE.
Through the rearview mirror I watched them walk hand in hand into the airport and cried at the sweet picture the two of them made. It was a moment I’ll never forget, a moment filled with the sweetness of watching a memory being made.
As soon as they landed in Houston, they called me and put me on speakerphone. The first voice I heard was Caroline saying “Mama, we’re here. I LOVED THE PLANE. WE LANDED!”
But the voice that meant the most at that moment was the voice of my daddy telling me it was more than he could have imagined. He couldn’t have dreamed of her excitement at every little detail of air travel, from the fold-down tray table to the free bags of pretzels to the takeoff and landing. When they finally landed, he said she leaned over and kissed him while saying “Thank you, Bops, for taking me on this airplane!”
He told me later it was one of the highlights of his life. I know for sure it was one of the highlights of Caroline’s life.
And in a weird way, although I wasn’t even there, it was one of the highlights of my life too.
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You don’t even want to know why I’m up at this hour posting to your blog….anywho, sweet story…just sweet. So glad Caroline had a big time with Bops on the airplane!
How sweet!
What a precious story! Certainly a memory that you all will treasure. Have a great Monday!
Hello tears stinging the brims of my eyelids.
What a precious story. And what a precious skirt she has on. Do they make that in big girl sizes?
Oh and yes, I will shop for your Barbie pants today. It is okay if one pant leg is long and one is short right? Along with telemarketing issues, we have scissor issues around here too.
Have a happy day.
thanks for the sweet story this morning
yes, i’m crying!
This sweet story brought tears to my eyes.
Isn’t it just amazing the impact grandkids have on their grandparents!
What a great story and a precious memory!
You are so sweet to have let your Dad have this precious “first” with your daughter. This one blessed my heart.
That is SOOOOOOOOOO sweet!
Sweet, sweet, sweet. The picture of the two of them is just so precious I could eat her up with a spoon.
So sweet and you look like your daddy!
So sweet and you look like your daddy!
Okay, you’re not suppose to make a girl cry before morning coffee! Their faces are so precious! What a fun adventure they had together. Thanks for sharing the joy with all of us.
what a precious story…it brought tears to my eyes!
Too sweet!
You do look like your Daddy.
Only prettier!
Precious story, I find great value in the relationship my children have with their grandparents!
When Sarah was four, she flew for the first time alone (yeah, I now cannot even believe I agreed to that!) but what I most remember is that then I got to walk onto the plane with her even though I was not traveling (can you imagine that nowdays!) and as soon as I got onto the plane she turned around and said to me, “please leave so my adventure can begin”. So I did.
How sweet of your dad to even think of taking her. In the picture, he looks as excited as Caroline. I think that is the sweetest thang!
Considering I am 23 and still usually cry from the happiness that is airline travel, this post brought a few tears itself.
She will probably remember that forever. And he definitely will.
Darn it, you made me cry!
Figured it was all the hormones b/c I’m pregnant, but you made me cry too. I may call my dad, ask him to put an airplane trip with his youngest granddaughter on the calendar, in 3-4 years!!
That is so darn sweet!
That is so sweet. My 2 younger boys flew at young ages, but my oldest flew for the first time (TO DISNEY!!!!! talk about pre trip build up) at 7 and I had forgotten how adorable he was about it until I read this.
Thanks for the flashback…
How sweet! She looks so pretty and I have to say I really love her skirt and the sunglasses topped off her cute outfit. Tell her I loved her hair!! That was a cute picture of Bops and Caroline. So, what are you doing with your free time?
Have a great Monday!
Love,
Patty
Too precious! The picture of Caroline and her Bops is fantastic. You can just feel how excited and proud she is of what she is about to do. How perfectly sweet!
Crying right now.
So, so sweet Melanie.
Aren’t grandparents a treasure!!! Caroline is blessed, as is your Daddy. Precious, precious memories.
What an adorably sweet story!
Spectacular.
She is precious! Love the sunglasses that compliment that big smile! Our kids’ first flight was to Houston from Birmingham. They loved it, too.
Oh, the tears…and it’s not even my little one! Thanks for sharing!
Awwww. How special for all of you.
When I was five, I started flying by myself between my divorced parents. I LOVED it. That was back when the airline would actually take care of unaccompanied minors, so some pretty flight attendant always paid lots of attention to me. I would never sleep the night before a flight and I loved every second of airports and airlines for years.
And then I had kids and the world got scary and now I hate to fly. go figure.
You know, air travel has become so “everyday” these days that these first-time experiences are hardly ever even thought of. What a very special memory foro all of you. I’m glad you shared it.
Made me cry, too. Good that you got that letting-your-baby-go-on-a-plane out of your system now. You’ll be able to cope better when she’s 18 and flying off to a college game in Mexico with her teammates! Still makes me shudder.
Great post!
~Luke
Awwwwwww.
*sniff*
*sniff*
I have you in my Google Reader…read every post, very rarely comment. But your story reminds me so much of my own girls, and the picture of your father and Caroline put me right over the edge…I just cried…it was so sweet. My FIL passed away before I was married and my dad isn’t involved with my children. I love your Bops stories
Thanks for being the great writer you are and sharing your life with us!
How precious – what a fun memory! And I only wish flying for me was that magical. It definitely loses the excitement and newness at some point. Oh to be like sweet Caroline! (o:
How blessed she is to have a grandparent like that. My kids are extra blessed too!
Dana
There is something so awesome about seeing your parents love on your children. I’ve got tears!
In November 2006 we took the family to Walt Disney World and ended up on the same plane as our daughter’s family. (we were coming from Houston, Austin and DFW so were on all assortment of schedules trying to all get into Orlando within an hour of each other). Our eldest grandson, Ben (who was barely 2 at the time), was entranced by the airplane, flying, the whole nine yards like Caroline.
When the flight was over and he was released from his seat, he ran to his Papa and I, reached up to be held, gave me a BIG hug and said, “Thank you, Gramma, for making the plane fly!”
“HERB! CLEAN-UP ON MIDDLE AISLE!” I was a puddle right there in the airplane….
I’m glad you realize how important these “wedges of life” with our grandchildren are. They are precious times indeed and wise is the parent that not only allows but encourages the “mix of the generations”.
Darling, darling tale….and I know EXACTLY how Bops felt…
(being in Katy, west Houston, there is TONS to do in Houston for kids – each time my grandkids come, we go to Galveston to the Moody Gardens Aquarium or Hermann Park or something fun like that – the Butterfly Museum near Hermann Park is something Caroline would LOVE!)
That Caroline, she creates the best stories, doesn’t she?! They are such sweeties and how adorable that she leaned over to Bops, kissed him and thanked him. See, you are teaching her about gratitude, no matter what she said about the blinking clown nose! She’s forgotten about that stinkin’ clown nose by now, thanks to Southwest, Bops and Mom saying yes to the adventure!
My 5 yr old son always asks, “Today, mommy, is it today or was it yesterday?!” No concept of time, whatsoevah! I’m in agreement with you about the time notification. Waiting is the best suggestion!!
I rarely comment here (though read often), but this was just too cute. Love that picture. They both look about ready to burst with excitement and happiness.
Your daddy looks like every little girl’s dream grandpa. I swear, I love that photo, Mel. She will never ever forget this special adventure with him and it sounds like he feels the same way.
I’m catching up here, so about your pilled sheets. I learned the hard way to never ever buy sheets, no matter what the brand, at a discount store. I’d be embarrassed to tell you what my queen-sized with extra deep pockets set cost, but I bought them at Linens ‘N Things, paid through the nose for them, and they’re wonderful. I’ve had them for five years and I only have the one set. As you know, I wash them all the time and I IRON them. LOL But they are soft as can be and not a pill in sight.
I don’t know what it is about the sheets Wal-Mart and K-Mart and Target carry, but they ALWAYS pill. Like you, I can’t sleep on them.
This is such a sweet post…I am 35 years old and my Pappaw is still one of my MOST favorite people in the world. Thanks foe sharing such a precious memory with all of us.
Oh girl, that is SOOOOO sweet! Your precious Daddy….
So sweet. I’m actually tearing up. It’s wonderful to have a dream come true.
Ok you made me tear up too. That is just an awesome story. Thanks for sharing!! What a good grandad he is!! So sweet!
Okay, I didn’t know I would be crying before 11:00 this morning!
This is the SWEETEST thing, and I am so happy for the wonderful memories that were made that day! Just precious!
P.S. I met Sophie in Atlanta this weekend! She said that she was going to call you to tell you she met some bloggers, and I told her to tell Big Mama that I said “hey!” It was so much fun!
I love that her grandpa took her on such a special trip!
Your story reminded me that God cares about the little details. my kids have been begging to fly and I don’t really see it as possible, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t bring their request to God. Thank you for the reminder.
The Girl, who is almost 12 and cannot remember when she flew in a plane, is excited that next summer – Lord willing- she too will take a flight to Nashville. I have to admit, I’m pretty excited about it too because it means that I’ll get to go with her!
I’m so happy that Caroline has just had “one of the best days in her whole life!” Truly great moments to remember.
“A moment filled with the sweetness of watching a memory being made.”
Loved that line. It captures the whole story in a few words.
Isn’t it so fun to see them excited over things we take for granted? I love it.
Sweet and funny all at once.
And I am so glad to see you put some socks on that sweet child so to avoid the fungus at the security check point. You are one good Mama!
That is so precious! My eyes are stinging a little.
What a sweet story and a great memory for them!
Thank you for ruining my makeup with the mascara colored tears running down my cheeks and taking off the foundation and the blush! Your story was worth it! How precious! Thank you for that sweet story!
Wow–I, too, am blessed. I love family that acts in love like that and savors it. It touches a place deep in my heart with joy for Caroline to be so favored and to let joy spill over so others can be blessed!
So…did you have a great time with your P?
thought I was weird because your story made me cry, but I see I wasn’t alone.
So sweet, wow!
Oh Big Mama! The tears are a flowing. So sweet.
Now that is just sweet. Sooo what did you do with all this time to yourself??
I remember my first airplane trip. I was about Caroline’s age, and it was with my Mom, going to see my grandparents. I spent the entire trip looking for Carebears in the clouds. All the adults in the seats around me got into the act and looked with me. It was so much fun!
Until I got airsickness and threw up everywhere. (Bet those other passengers were rethinking their carebear joy then!)
But the airline attendant brought me Ginger Ale to settle my stomach, which totally made up for having to throw up in a little baggie. So thumbs up for first flights, the Carebears, Ginger Ale, and little airsickness baggies.
Very cute story. Maybe Caroline has a future as a flight attendant. Don’t family members get free flights for life? It might be worth it!
That makes me soooo happy! My 6-year-old is DYING to fly on an airplane (her last trip was as a 16-month-old). What a great idea to just take a little trip somewhere.
Happy Memories to you today, friend!
I wish I liked flying that much. Maybe I will someday. I’m so glad your dad did that with her. What a sweet time for the both!
Duly noted: Do not tell child about exciting adventures more than 5 minutes in advance or you will go crazy!
Very cool.
So wonderfully sweet. This made me cry!
I started out reading this post with the thought of laughing at her sweet “Carolineisms” and ended up in tears at what a precious moment that must have been. I can’t wait for sweet moments with my dad and my Caroline!
Whipping out some tissues right now. I love that story. Thanks for sharing that….and so beautifully I might add.
Also – I definitely believe God has a sense of humor. C’mon – a plane flying overhead while Caroline is worrying about missing her plane? You can’t make that stuff up!
Hilarious.
I don’t know why I’m all misty after reading this, but I totally am. Oh, I love four-year-old enthusiasm and that sweet relationship between our parents and our children.
Beautiful story Big Mama!
What a funny and sweet story… I laughed out loud at the plane flying overhead and the thought of God laughing at you. What a sweet day for Caroline and Bops!
Okay, so how is it that your kid’s ride on an airplane brought tears to my eyes. Hmm, I think it was the whole event. She is so absolutely percocious. I have one too. Life is never dull. Thanks for telling us.
Is it strange that your story mad me cry? I must have PMS or something. What a sweet memory and I love how cute she looks in all of the pictures. Still have tears in my eyes … I’m going to eat some chocolate.
You made me cry too!
What a great memory for all of you!
Always love your stories, Big Mama.
I have been reading your blog for about a month, but this is the first time I have commented.
This post was just too sweet! How precious that you let your dad make that wonderful memory with Caroline. The picture of the two them was just priceless. You need to have that framed! I have 2 granddaughters so this really touched my heart!
Thanks for sharing such a special memory with all of us!
Mimi
Oh, this post made me cry! (I may or may not be sleepdeprived at the moment…)
My baby is only 5 months old, but the most unexpected blessing of mamahood so far has been the way my daddy loves her.
Thanks for sharing.
Okay this made me cry. I am so often touched by your funny Caroline, but the love from your Dad is very touching too! Thanks for sharing.
You are so precious to let your Dad have the blessing of this “first” in Caroline’s life. No dry eyes on the other side of this screen! Thanks for the sweetest of posts.
Oh my goodness, I’ve got tears in my eyes reading this! What a sweet girl you have! And wonderful Bops – an awesome family!
I’m lovin’ your dad….and your daughter’s fashion sense! We, too…are taking the kids (3) on their first plane ride next Monday..and, like you…made the mistake of telling them over a MONTH AGO!!!
I love that a plane flew over right as she was getting into bed. hilarious.
Oh my gosh – you’re a mini-Bops! And they look so happy together. Making rememberies….
How can you make me laugh and cry all in one post? What an amazing memory!
That is so precious!
That, my friend, was a “Kodak moment” to beat all others!
oh, that is just so precious. sounds like caroline has been blessed w a WONDERFUL grandpa. how sweet! you made my day. thanks
Sniff! Loved it!
what a great memory!! for all of you…and I’m sure they had the time of their life while in Houston.
Loved the post and it made me cry. My children lost their maternal Grandmother before they were born. It’s painful somedays seeing what she is not here for. The kids paternal grandparents (who are healthy and well and live in the same city) maybe see them once a month. That is painful too.
I so wish they had someone like Bops.
Awww, such a sweet story. She will always treasure that memory. I love the picture of Caroline and Bops together ready for their big adventure. And I love that name Bops. I think it is such a cool thing to say instead of grandfather.
Thanks for sharing such a sweet story.
Awww.
NOthing beats a child’s enthusiasm.
Oh my. That is the sweetest story. You’ve got me teary-eyed over here.
What a wonderful memory for all three of you. I teared up reading it and I could just imagine what it must have been like on that plane. Caroline is darling! You should be a very proud mom!
Your dad has not changed ONE SINGLE BIT since I saw him 20 years ago. He needs to be giving out beauty tips or drawing me a map to the fountain of youth he visits!!!!
that’s about the sweetest thing!
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