As Couple Flies Home With Newly-Adopted Daughter, Strangers on Plane Throw Impromptu Baby Shower
February 20th, 2020 
Stories
When these anxious parents were flying home with their newly-adopted daughter, they received a flood of encouragement and support from dozens of their fellow passengers.
Back in November, Caren and Dustin Moore had been on their way home to California after becoming the proud parents to an 8-day-old baby girl they had adopted through an agency in Colorado.
“With clearance to return home to California, my wife carried our precious bundle, while I offered numerous apologies to passengers while maneuvering the aisle with 4 bags,” Dustin recalled in a recent Twitter thread. “About mid-flight, our daughter awoke and politely informed us she wanted a new diaper.
“After inquiring about space for a table change, a thoughtful flight attendant named Jenny cleared a space in the back of the plane and gave us privacy.”
As the doting dad changed his daughter’s diaper, the flight attendant—along with a fellow passenger—politely asked why he was flying with such a young child.
“I gave them the shortened adoption story, to which they hastily offered congratulations, and shared a few more kind remarks,” Dustin wrote. “About 10 minutes later, another attendant (named Bobby) greeted us with a warm smile, and inquired about our daughter.”
“We repeated the story with a few details, and he congratulated us before walking away. My wife and I exchanged curious looks, but thought nothing more about it.”
To their shock, Bobby’s voice came on over the intercom a few minutes later announcing the Moores’ adoption—and the plane erupted in a rousing wave of cheers and applause.
Bobby then told the passengers that he would be passing out pens and napkins so everyone could write notes of encouragement for the new parents.
The crew gathered the napkins, then read a few of their favorites over the intercom.
“Rub each other’s feet, and rub the baby’s feet.”
“Make time for date night.”
“Always tell her you love her.”
“Enjoy every minute. It goes by sooo very fast.”
“Drink lots of wine!” /8
— Dustin Moore, MS, RD (@theamericanrd) February 9, 2020
The impromptu baby shower had been particularly moving for him and his wife because they had been feeling vulnerable and nervous following their daughter’s adoption.
“What all of those perfect strangers and attendants did not know was the emotionally tender state of two brand-new parents,” wrote Dustin. “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. ”
Caren and Dustin have since arranged the napkin notes in a scrapbook which they hope to one day pass on to their daughter.
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