THIS IS definitely a different reaction to being seated near a baby on a flight!
There's nothing more uplifting than stories of the kindness of strangers, but this story is 'uplifting' in a different way, considering the story takes place hundreds of miles up in the air.
An American couple who were making the first trip home with their newly adopted infant daughter have shared an incredible story of the kindness and support they received from a plane full of complete strangers.
Writing on Twitter, Californian Dustin Moore told the tale in the hope that "our story uplifts you, and reminds you there is goodness to be had in this world".
It’s been a difficult week.
But, rather than publicly air my grievances, I’d like to share w/ you the kindness strangers offered us the day we brought our daughter home.
I hope our story uplifts you, and reminds you there is goodness to be had in this world.
A thread... /1— Dustin Moore, MS, RD (@theamericanrd) February 9, 2020
Dustin and his wife, Caren, were halfway through their flight home to California when their new arrival "politely informed us she wanted a new diaper".
A thoughtful flight attendant named Jenny cleared a space and gave the couple privacy to attend to their daughter, and as the young family returned to their seats the compliments and questions from passengers about what prompted a flight with such a young pasenger led to Dustin telling "the shortened adoption story".
"They hastily offered congratulations, and shared a few more kind remarks," Dustin wrote on a thread on Twitter, and a few minutes later a second flight attendant, Bobby appeared by the couple's side and asked to hear the adoption story.
After re-telling the story of their daughter's adoption, "he congratulated us before walking away.
"My wife and I exchanged curious looks, but thought nothing more about it.
"Then, we heard the intercom. The attendant Bobby came on and announced a special guest on the flight. Our daughter. “She’s just been adopted by her parents Caren and Dustin, and is making her way home.”"
As the cabin erupted in cheers and applause for the new family of three, flight attendant Bobby announced over the intercom that crew would be passing out pens and napkins to everyone, and anybody on board who "wanted to share a word of advice or encouragement for our family was welcome to do so.
"We sat in speechless gratitude, as people kept peeking over their chairs to congratulate us."
After the crew had gathered everyone's notes, they again took to the intercom to share some of their favourite bits of advice, including "Make time for date night", "always tell her you love her", "enjoy every minute" and, of course "Drink lots of wine!".
But the incredible story wasn't over yet, as flight attendants Bobby and Jenny gifted Dustin, Caren and their daughter with the dozens of napkins as well as a set of pilot wings, explaining that they were married and someone had done something similar for them when they were on their honeymoon flight and "it was a perfect opportunity to pay forward the kind act they had been shown on their honeymoon."
"Even as we disembarked, people kept approaching us and wishing us well, and complimenting our beautiful daughter," Dustin wrote. "Our hearts were full."
"But there's more," he continued.
"What all of those perfect strangers and attendants did not know, was the emotionally tender state of two brand-new parents. Parents who after 9 years of trying had been blessed with their first child. Parents who felt scared, but determined in their new role.
"The outpouring of love from that flight, brought on by the actions of two thoughtfully observant flight attendants... it exceeds my ability to describe what it meant to us. How much those wings and written notes uplifted two new parents determined to love their new daughter."
Dustin finished the thread by sharing a photograpph of the book he and Caren had made containing the advice the strangers had given them on their first flight with their new daughter, and said "In a world of turmoil, don't forget to showcase the Bobbys and Jenny, the kind strangers out there.
This website is used oft as a means to share what’s wrong.
I hope you’ll take time to share what is good. In a world of turmoil, don’t forget to showcase the Bobby’s and Jenny’s, the kind strangers out there.
And if they don’t cross your path, be one. Seek good, or create it. pic.twitter.com/XMxkJXkh18— Dustin Moore, MS, RD (@theamericanrd) February 9, 2020
"And if they don't cross your path, be one. Seek good, or create it."
"Thank you all for the love you've shown us 💗. We only wish we could sit down with each of you, tell you the rest of the story, and hear yours. Maybe another time."
