Hey Dads!

Hey Dads! Have you ever had a sleepless night? It’s not fun! Maybe you were sick, had sick kids, or were stuck on a steel bench in a bus shelter in an airport parking lot because the airport you were flying out of closed from 1am-3am! You can probably guess which of these scenarios I found myself enjoying in the wee hours of Friday morning. If you think all airports are open 24/7, come along with me as we attend class at the school of hard knocks.
I had a 5am flight from Minot, North Dakota, which is about two hours from my house. Working that math backwards, I needed to be at the airport around 3am so I would have to leave my house by at least 1am. I was also teaching drum lessons until 9pm Thursday night so we couldn’t leave earlier than that. Being a thoughtful and considerate husband, I figured if my patient wife drove me to the airport right after drum lessons at 9pm she could do the four-hour round trip and conveniently hop in her cozy bed by 1am for a long, refreshing, and complete night’s sleep. I’d just snooze in a cozy airport chair for a few hours until my flight.
There was an international border to cross on the way to Minot which we passed through without incident. Although the border agent did mention something that caused some discomfort. He said, “That airport’s closed at night.” I wasn’t convinced that the border agent was an expert in airport operating hours so I quickly dismissed his comment. Turns out the border agent was an expert in airport operating hours.
We arrived at the airport at 12:30am. Not a soul to be seen. Except for a security guard. I said goodbye to my wife and happily skipped through the airport doors. “Can I help you, sir?” Putting on my most optimistic smile I happily said, “Yes, I fly out at 5am so I was just going to sit in a chair until then.” She smiled at me kindly with a hint of pity. “Sorry, sir. The airport is closed from 1am to 3am. But there is a bus shelter over there you can wait in if you like.” I scanned the dark parking lot and could see the bus shelter lurking in the distance. I considered my options. I walked to the bus shelter. If there were any unsavoury characters around they were staying well hidden. Stretching out on a cold, steel bench with my daughter’s hot pink neck pillow to comfort and warm me, I was grateful it was a “cozy” September night in North Dakota and not a deathly February one.
Believe it or not, I slept not a wink on that bus shelter bench in North Dakota. I tried for an hour or so and then began pacing around outside the airport wondering how long it would be until 3am. I was waiting at the door in joyful anticipation when the security guard opened it. Being the only one there, I was able to grab the most comfortable chair in the building where I promptly fell asleep. Thankfully, I woke up before my flight left and the rest is history. Time flies, dad! Make every moment count! Even the cold bus shelter bench ones.
Jason Weening usually sleeps at home with his 10 kids and 1 patient wife. Read more adventures in his book, “Yes, Dear…I’m Watching Them” on Amazon.