SEA to CDG (The flight)

I was fortunate enough to receive the use of a buddy pass for my flight to and from Paris and save a ton of money. The only down side to a buddy pass is flying standby. You never know when you'll be let on the plane and you never know how long you will have to wait.

Thursday, August 27th, Seattle time
My sister calls me up to tell me that I-5 has been shutdown for the investigation of a shooting. That's the Interstate to the airport I needed to be at. A little freak ot moment occurred for me as I thought of missing my standby flight that the night earlier had proved to be really unlikely anyway. That kind of took my mind off of actually leaving for France for a whole 11 months and put my situation in more of a fantasy perspective. AKA, not good for the emotions that would soon come!

When my mom pulled up to the airport, I hugged her and my grammy goodbye (not believing it was actually goodbye) and marched to the horrendously long line to check my baggage with Jaycee and Delcine by my side. I was so anxious to get on the flight that I was a hot mess, literally. Sweaty, flusstered and praying that my luggage was not overweight. With the help of my two saving graces, we transferred one big coat to another bag and ditched some shampoo, a guide to France book, and CDs so that we hit just below the max weight limit.Now that Delta had their luggage conveyors working again, the next beast to battle was Security. My head was spinning at that point. I left Jaycee and Delc at the roped off section and began the quick flow through the metal detectors. That's where emotions really began hitting me. Tears were welling up and yet I was sure that there was no way I had a chance of getting on a full flight to Paris.

I broke a sweat racing down the halls and through the tram doors and finally made my way to the Delta desk just to be told, "Well, you're on the list. Have a seat and pray!"

And pray I did. In fact, my whole family was texting me that they were praying for me and fingers and toes were crossed by my friends. I prayed and prayed and knew that if I needed to be on the flight, then there would be a way. My nerves were shot as I watched the hour tick by and the Sky Priority members board, then the families, then Zone 1 and 2... Less than five minutes until the door shut and I watched the last seat be given to the guy ahead of me on the standby list. I was convinced that I'd be waiting at least another 24 hours. Then the miracle occurred: a family of three failed to show up and just like that, I was whisked off down the tube into the plane and seated in the back of the plane. At that point, a seat was a seat and I was beyond grateful. My Heavenly Father really pulled through for me on that one. And I'm still thanking Him.