Dreams Can Change
When Pivoting Careers Leads to 24 Hours in Cancun
“Be who you needed when you were young”… is a brief description of my husband, John. I’m taking a moment to share his story and how proud I am of his accomplishments.
John just upgraded to Captain at Delta Air Lines on the 737. He is my college sweetheart. When we married, he was teaching K-12 Phy Ed and Health, and we envisioned building our life in a small community, teaching and coaching. Sometimes, dreams change. Recurring district budget cuts prompted other career considerations, and John pivoted to flight school on evenings and weekends.
What is not immediately apparent is that John grew up in poverty, and his family was fractured. His dad left when John was young, and he was raised by a single mom who struggled with debilitating health problems to the point that she never got her driver’s license or a job; they lived on her disability income in rural Wisconsin.
In high school, John met Aaron, a goofy Thor-like shotput thrower on his track and field team. The two became fast friends. A few sleepovers turned into an unofficial adoption by the Studt family, who still count us as family today. They provided unconditional love and support for John, helping him get into college and have a place to belong. Their love, rooted in Christian faith, altered the trajectory of John‘s life. They are “Ahma and Boppy” now to our three boys.
We Americans love a good bootstrap story, but John would be the first to tell you that his achievements are not his own. His journey was made possible by the people who supported and loved him along the way.
I think of our friends, Jonathan and Jessica Fant, who we visited in Hawaii when we were still DINKs (Dual Income No Kids). Jessica’s parents graciously hosted us—the Keizers—who believed in John’s interest in becoming a pilot and connected John to a pilot mentor who worked at Delta, Tom Douglas. Tom’s encouragement and support through the journey has been instrumental.
Portugese Heritage Tangent
Is it ironic that we flew Delta to Hawaii and that is where we first learned about John’s Portuguese heritage and met his relatives on the island? (That is a story for another day but a very interesting tangent that basically goes like this: King Kalākaua invited Portuguese immigrants to the islands of Hawaii in the 1870s to work in Sugar Plantations. The immigrants were from the island of Madeira and the Azores Islands. They were some of the only immigrants who were invited by a native Hawaiian ruler to come to the islands. The Portuguese introduced many things to Hawaiian culture, the ukulele being one of the most popular. But my personal favorite is Malasadas, a sugary fried doughnut-type pastry from heaven. John’s ancestors were part of the immigration to Hawaii from Madeira and spent a couple generations on the Big Island. His relative published one of the first instruction manuals on how to play the Ukulele, and John’s grandpa grew up on the Big Island, where he was a golf caddy and luggage handler for famous vacationers like Clark Gable. His great-grandparents and grandpa eventually moved to Oahu where John’s grandpa went to high school. We have visited his great Aunt who still lives in the family home in Honolulu and enjoyed some avocados from a tree that John’s great-grandfather planted. Like I said, a post for another day…)
It feels like we can take a deep breath as we enter a season of margin and rest, many thanks to the work-life balance a company like Delta provides. I’m excited for the next “volume” of life together (our flight school debt repayment era 😅) and to have John’s support as I take a turn pursuing a vocation that I love.
We celebrated by taking our three boys to Cancun on John’s last trip as a First Officer. John had a 24-hour layover at the Kempinski Resort and I figured it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to join him with the kids. We have dreamt up these opportunities for years and it is such a gift to have it all align. This was the first time on Dad’s flight for our youngest, and the first one our middle child will remember since the last time he was just a baby!
The journey wasn’t easy and the career itself can create an isolated lifestyle, but we have learned to ask for help along the way and access resources for support. We’ve come to learn—sometimes the hard way—that asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. This post is a highlight reel… there’s a lot you’re not seeing, but it’s exciting to see some of the fruit of our 10-year journey come to life.
The next time you fly on a 737 with Delta, keep your eyes peeled for a handsome Captain with a mustache and ask him for a trading card :)
