"You guys can't go today. Gate's closed. You're late."
"...What?"
"You're late. Check in is at least 2 hours for international flight. You can't go. The flight is in an hour...Next flight is tomorrow, 11 am."
And this was the first time we heard those words. The first time EVER that we had missed a flight.
It was completely our fault.
We went to bed at 1:30 am the morning of and woke up at 4 am. Our initial plan was to leave the house at 430 am but with everything combined, we ended up leaving at 530. We picked up my FIL, as he would drive us there. Then we picked up his best friend and wife, as they were accompanying us as well. Then off to the airport! No one was panicking in the car, not us, not our friends. It wasn't even a question.
"You're sure we can't go? There's still an hour left until departure."
"Hold on."
The clerk at the check in desk made some calls.
"It's too late. It's an issue of checked bags and making it through security."
"Can we go somewhere else instead, we'll go anywhere."
"Oh sure you can, just have to call the people you booked it through to see what they can do for you."
We were in shock but everyone remained calm. No one blamed each other. No voices were raised. No 'tudes were given. We just moved over to the side to figure out the next plan of action. We had booked a 5 people airfare and board for the weekend at Turks & Caicos. Paid in full. Non refundable.
Our friend made the phone call to Jet Blue. I turned my back and started crying but then pulled myself together very quick. I was upset but not necessarily because we missed the flight, but because it was our fault. "I just don't get how this happened! How did we assume we can roll up an hour before and make it in time? I don't even know what to think now."
I kept telling myself, "This has to be for the best. Allah knows best, He is the best planner. No one in this group ever misses a flight..." I kept telling myself to "be patient, be content with what transpired. Allah is watching, this was His doing. It could be worse." I started doing dhikhr and made dua, lots of dua.
Jet Blue couldn't offer us anything. We went back to the clerk and decided we would take the next day out. "There's 150 seats and you'll be on standby but if you pay $50/person you're guaranteed a seat." I felt bad. "Sure, I'll pay for all of us." I handed my credit card and she then said, "Are you SURE you wanna pay? There's many seats available I'm sure you guys will get on."
Because of that, I hesitated.
"Okay lemme just discuss it with my husband."
We moved over to the side again. He agreed we should just pay and get it sealed.
During that time, our friend checked his Jet Blue app to see an alert stating our flight was actually delayed until 7:55 am!! At this point it's already 715 am. We got excited! Maybe this means we have a chance!
We walked over to the clerk and bought it up. "Look at this alert! We should be able to go now, flight has been delayed." She had no idea as she didn't get the alert. So she walked over and spoke to some official, it was probably only a few minutes but it felt like forever!!... Came back and said, "Ok! You guys are good to go!"
What!! aHHhHH!!!! Alhamdulillah this is amazing!!
Had our friend not had the app, nor checked it, we wouldn't have gotten the chance.
We scrambled to grab our bags from the other end of the check in counter. She moved quick. Checked our bags and gave us our boarding passes. We ran to security check. It was PACKED. There would be no way we would make it!! Husband, friend and baby stood in line while we tried to shoo a TSA agent who was on the other side. I told them the ordeal and asked if we could move to the front of the line. They were a little hesitant as they thought we would never make it but they agreed and let us skip everyone, alhamdulillah! Now I had to find the boys. In a matter of 5 minutes they disappeared into the sea of people. Eventually found them, went through checkpoint which seemed like another trial! We got stopped for baby milk inspection. Our friend was patted down extensively. It seemed like we were moving at turtle speed but we made it through!!
We ran to the gate listed on our ticket. The clerk at the desk told us the gate was changed to twenty so and so, and not to rush as it's delayed.
We rushed anyway. I pushed the stroller and Tahmeed ran with Noah in his arms (who btw was being super fussy lol).
We got to the gate to find out it's been delayed some more, and boarding was 815 am or so.
Whew. Alhamdulillah. We made it. We made it we made it we made it!!! How did this happen? Now we were all able to take a little breather. Whew. We changed Noah's diaper and I went to grab breakfast.
While Tahmeed was sitting at the gate, they made an announcement. There was a legitimate reason for the flight delay. The pilot did not feel comfortable taking the initial plane due to maintenance issues it was having. He didn't feel it was safe so decided to wait for the next plane to arrive from Boston.
Seriously?!
Maintenance issues!!
When I heard that, all I thought was, "Subhanallah, how Allah has saved us!! Oh how kind He is!" I was just in utter disbelief. This was crazy! It all happened for a reason. I knew it. Allah was always testing us. There was no way we were supposed to make the flight. No way, no how. Oh how sabr helped us get through!
But we still remained a bit hesitant."Won't believe it until we land!"
And then the time came to finally board. The plane ride was smooth. Noah got his own free seat in between us and fell asleep for most of it as he was probably super exhausted.
Then we finally did land, in Turks and Caicos, a few hours later.
Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah.
It was a humbling experience, for me at least.
Nothing occurs except for which Allah wants. We are essentially powerless.
I was reminded these profound words from Allah.
"O' You who believe! Seek My help with patience and prayer: surely, Allah is with those who are patient." (Quran 2:153)
And of course,
"Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you do not." (Quran 2:216)
Turks and Caicos ended up being a great trip.
Alhamdulillah and ameen.
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