I’ve been sitting in 33G for 5 1/2 hours…and will be here for another 2 1/2 before landing in Frankfurt, Germany.

I told the gal next to me that, since becoming a flight attendant, I have become the worst passenger. And it’s true…I am currently more fidgety than a toddler told to sit still or else. I am listening to music and I want to sing out loud and dance (thank heavens that lip syncing is silent!). I finally caved and unzipped my boots because my ankles have become claustrophobic and I swear they are about to scream out loud. Did I mention that I am sitting at the window and the gal next to me has been blissfully asleep for hours? This also means I have to carefully monitor my water intake, because, well…very nice aisle person is asleep and I can’t climb over my seat to get out (I actually saw someone do that once).

How do people fly to Australia? That flight is twice as long as this one. Haley, you are my hero. Is it like childbirth? After a while, do you start to think ‘It wasn’t so bad, I can do it again’?

I’m looking around and almost everyone appears to be asleep. How are they doing that? I was actually successful in reclining my seat, which is kind of a miracle in and of itself. I have no idea why I have an issue with that. It’s like I’m not coordinated enough to push a button and push the seat back at the same time…ask John, he’s seen it. Sleep has eluded me though. It just dawned on me that I have been awake for almost 24 hours at this point (I have taken a couple of naps, but nothing huge). I did that intentionally to try to adjust to German time…hmmmm, I’m hearing a voice ask ‘And how’s that working for you?’

But here’s the thing…less than a week ago, John looked at me and said, ‘I want you to go to see Megan in Germany. You’ve got the time off. You need to see your girl.’ And here I am.

I’m fortunate that, because of my job, I can do this. Hop on a plane and fly halfway around the world basically on a whim because your husband knows just how much seeing two of your children makes you miss the third one.

He woke up in the middle of the night, drove me to the airport, and kissed me goodbye, excited for the time that Megan and I will have. I am consistently amazed at this active love. I cannot thank him enough for his insistence that I take this trip. To hug my baby girl was worth every fidgety moment…

Update: I am finally going to bed for the night. I had an hour and a half nap and Megan and I ventured downtown to our first Christmas Market. So, after 40 hours with only naps, this girl is saying ‘good night’. And to John…thank you baby, you were right, sometimes a mama just needs her girl.