Kennedy's First Flight

As many of you know, Steve loves to fly. In fact, he loves anything about airplanes. Forget having a conversation with him when a plane is flying overhead or shows up on the television, because it will be like talking to the wind...his focus is on that plane. On my first date with Steve, we flew in an airplane that he was piloting. He earned his pilots license many years ago, but has been unable to fly a plane for awhile due to medical reasons. Luckily, Steve has a friend who is an avid pilot and owns a couple of airplanes. Norm has taken Steve up flying quite a few times in his Cessna, and Christopher has also had an opportunity to go on occasion. Kennedy, on the other hand, has never set foot in any type of airplane, which you would never expect from her being Steve's daughter.

It was Saturday and Steve was doing some side work for Norm. I interrupted the kids play time to drag them to the health food store. I was trying the kid's patience, because apparently I was talking to the store assistant too long about boring things like supplements. I bribed them with flavored honey sticks and told them we would be on the way home soon. Steve had mentioned earlier that there would be a possibility of us going flying today, but it was almost 5 pm and he knew I had to meet a friend at 6:30 for dinner and a movie. Obviously, I thought the window of time had passed for flying....and then the phone rang. Steve was on the other end and I knew from his voice what he wanted. After fourteen years of marriage he is finally learning how to approach my anxieties about spur of the moment activities(yes, I am a planner and don't like instant decisions, though I am trying to get better). Steve stated that Norm wanted to take us for a quick flight. My instant reaction was stress. Not only was it icy and freezing cold outside, but Kennedy had never been in a plane and I needed to be somewhere soon. He assured me that it would take no time to get the airplane out of the hangar and up in the air. Was that really suppose to make me feel better that we would be in a plane that would take no time to get up in the air??? I am sure I was starting to hyperventilate when the thought came over me to just stop, breathe, and enjoy the moment. I knew this would make Steve's day to go up with his family, and besides the absolute worse that could happen would be crashing into an icy lake.

Kennedy was excited when she heard she was going to get to fly. She asked me if they were going to serve her peanuts on the plane. I explained that it was not the type of plane you fly from the airport in Salt Lake, it was a lot smaller. She did not quite understand until she saw the plane and in a brave, but nervous voice stated, "oh". For those of you who have never been in a Cessna, it is about the size of a stretched out Volkswagon Bug with six seats squished together. I think I was more nervous than Kennedy, just because I have not been up for a while. It was dark by the time we were up in the air and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. There is nothing more phenomenal than seeing the moonlit valley covered in snow from 2,000 feet up in the air. The kids thought it was great because we were able to fly right over our house. Plus, they loved seeing all the places we go(Target, church, Fat Cats) from a birds-eye view. Kennedy loved to talk to Steve through the headset. I am so proud of her because she was extremely brave through take-off, landing, and all the bumps along the way. Sadly, I did not have my camera again, so you will have to make due with our cell phone pictures. Anyway, the flight was great, and I am glad I did not give in to my anxieties. And yes, I was a half hour late for my friend, but she didn't care.