To the Man in Seat 17C...

Dear Gentleman in Seat 17C,

Thank you.  You are awesome. 

This past Thursday, I had to fly home to bury my uncle.  I was bringing my two month old along, and I was terrified because she's colic-y.  I couldn't drive because I have 3 other kids at home and a husband who could take only 1 day off. 

So I gritted my teeth and boarded the plane, my daughter shrieking in my ear.  I sat by the window for the extra two inches of space, and over a wing, hoping that the extra noise would calm/muffle my baby. 

You sat down in the aisle and smiled at me.  A geniune smile, not an oh-crap-a-baby-on-the-plane smile.  "How old?" you politely inquired.

"Two and a half months," I replied, flustered by the baby shrieking.

Your smiled broadened.  "Don't worry," you said.  "Babies cry.  She isn't going to bother me.  You are doing great."

I proceeded to rock back and forth like a maniac, since that was the only thing that would keep my daughter calm.  When a woman took the seat between us, you smiled at her as well -- the same geniune smile you had given me.

For the next hour, I rocked and hummed, fed and burped, soothed and patted.  My daughter still fussed.  You ignored us, content to go about your business.  The lady in 17B kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, sighing in a passive aggressive way that only served to elevate my stress level. 

"I'm sorry," I said, after the twentieth sigh, as I was near tears myself. "I'm doing everything I can." 

"Babies just shouldn't fly," 17B sniffed. 

Tears filled my eyes as a dozen retorts danced on my tongue.  Before I could say anything, you, Gentleman in 17C, spoke up.

"Can I buy you a drink?" you asked 17B.  "Because you really need to loosen up." 

I gave a tear filled laugh.  My baby quieted.  17B started at you, mouth agape.  You went back to your newspaper. 

The plane landed and you smiled at me again.  "You did fabulous," you told me.  "And so did your little one."  17B didn't say a word. 

So thank you, Gentleman in 17C.  You are a hero.  A Knight in Shining Armor.  A Prince Among Men.  You made me feel like an excellent mother, simply by offering to buy a stranger a drink. 

I wish good things for you.  And I hope to repay the favor to another parent some day.

Warmly,

Shannon