Thrill Ride

It was my friend Dave’s birthday and I decided to take him out to breakfast at one of my favorite places: The Hampton Airfield. It’s a great little spot in Hampton, NH where you can eat and watch small planes take off and land. The run way is just a long grass field and going there always reminds me of what it must have been like to fly before major airports and 747’s.

On this particular morning as we sat outside eating there was a giant open cockpit biplane parked right next to us. It was majestic and looked brand new even though it was a vintage aeroplane-1930 new standard. It was an old plane.

Dave and I commented on the beautiful maroon and gold colors that looked as though they had been painted on yesterday.

The woodwork around the cockpit was hand carved and the engine was pristine silver.

It was at that point that Dave looked at me and said, “Hey Ed, I wonder if you can go for a ride on that?”

I said, “I think so but that’s not why I took you here. It was just for breakfast and a chance to celebrate your birthday.”

Dave commented, “But Ed, what a better way to celebrate my birthday than to take a ride on that.”

“I don’t know Dave; I do enough flying on airplanes and besides it looks a little scary.” I replied.

The next thing you know Dave found out who the pilot was and that he could take us for a ride- right now.

Right now! Wait a minute this is happening way too fast. All of this fear and worry came over me about all of the things that could go wrong if I took that plane ride. I came up with a number of reasons and excuses of why I should not get on that biplane.

I was still hesitant and not sure when Dave said to me. “Ed this is a moment. Aren’t you all about creating moments? You will look back on this and wish you had done it.”

Fifteen minutes later Dave and I had on our vintage hats and goggles and we stepped into the open cockpit ready for takeoff.
The pilot took us up and down the New Hampshire seacoast and out over the Atlantic Ocean.

It was a thrill ride and I was so glad that my good friend had encouraged me to create a moment that will stay with the both us forever.

What special moments can you create for another person? What can you celebrate?