It was an extremely difficult nine years for Dustin and Caren Moore. Those years were filled with fertility treatments, miscarriages and the stress that adopting a child brings. But finally, they were able to hold their adopted, 8-day-old daughter and board a Southwest Airlines flight from Colorado back to their home in California.
Soon after they did, the baby needed a diaper change and a flight attendant named Jenny guided them to where they could do that.
Says Dustin: “Jenny and another passenger complimented my beautiful daughter and politely asked what had prompted a flight with such a young infant. I gave them the shortened adoption story, to which they hastily offered congratulations, and shared a few more kind remarks.”
Once Dustin and Caren were back in their seats, another attendant, named Bobby, asked them several more questions about their little girl. They answered them, but they were a bit confused about all the interest in their child.
Just a few minutes later, Bobby’s voice came through the plane’s intercom, and he said: “Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a very special guest on the flight today. She’s only 8 days old and she’s traveling home with her mom and dad.”
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.”
— Dustin Moore, MS, RD (@theamericanrd) February 9, 2020
The entire cabin erupted in cheers and applause. /6
The entire cabin started cheering and applauding and many came by to congratulate the happy new parents. Bobby passed out napkins and pens so everyone could write out a message to the couple.
One of those napkins read: “I was adopted 64 years ago. Thank you for giving this child a loving family to be part of. Us adopted kids need a little extra love. Congratulations.”
The flight attendants gathered more than 60 napkins for the couple, and read some over the intercom. All of the passengers only knew of the bundle of joy for the couple.
Says Dustin: “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.”
We’re pretty sure Dustin and Caren will do a great job at being parents.
