18 Hours in an Airport and Showing Up Anyways

There are moments when everything that can go wrong… does.

Flights delayed.

Planes boarded and deplaned—over and over again.

No pilot. No crew. Mechanical issues. Weather.

And at some point, you stop asking, “What else?”… because you’re too tired to care.

That was my journey from Tallahassee to Kansas City for the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference.

The Reality

What was supposed to be a simple Friday travel day turned into 18 hours stranded in the Atlanta airport, all while flying with Delta Air Lines.

And the truth is… it didn’t start with weather.

It started with a mechanical issue.

We boarded the plane. Everything seemed fine at first.

Then came the delay.

That delay pushed us directly into a storm.

While sitting on the plane, the weather hit hard. Rain. Hail. The kind that makes you look around and realize you’re not in control. The plane was rocking back and forth, with hail hitting against it while we were still on board.

Eventually, we had to deplane so they could inspect the aircraft for damage.

And that moment?

That’s when everything started to unravel.

From there, the cycle began:

• Boarded

• Deplaned

• Delayed

Over and over again.

Each time, a new reason:

• Mechanical issues

• Weather

• No pilot

• No crew

At one point, I was told the delays were weather-related, which meant no hotel vouchers.

But I had documentation indicating mechanical issues were part of the cause.

Still… no support. Just instructions to handle it myself and “figure it out later.”

And to be clear, I didn’t just decide to stay overnight in the airport.

I stayed because there was constant hope.

Flights kept getting rebooked.

Opportunities kept opening up.

I kept getting placed on standby lists because I was trying to do everything I could to get to Kansas City before Saturday morning, when I was scheduled to meet with the Board of Directors.

Leaving the airport meant risking missing that window entirely.

So I stayed.

And I waited.

And I kept trying.

After bouncing between what felt like every terminal—easily 10 or more—I finally found a place to rest for a few hours.

Not because I chose comfort…

But because I was committed to the outcome.

The Turning Point

Somewhere between exhaustion and frustration, the mindset had to shift:

After a sleepless night and one last push through the international terminal, I finally made it onto a confirmed flight the next morning.

When I landed in Kansas City:

• I checked in

• Took a shower

• Tried to reset

But the truth? I was exhausted.

Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

Showing Up Anyway

Even though I missed my original presentation window, I still went.

And I’m grateful for Mike Christakis and the board for their grace and support.

They welcomed me.

They fed me.

They gave me space to reset.

And then they sat with me, fully engaged, as I presented my work.

And I don’t know how I did it…

But I did.

Not because I felt good.

But because I was ready.

Preparation carried me where energy couldn’t.

Conference Momentum

From there, it didn’t slow down:

• Sunday: Presented to Vice Presidents from institutions across the country

• Monday: Featured session on Centering the Student Affairs Workforce

• Tuesday: Panel on professional development

This conference also marked the initial launch of my published report, “Centering the Student Affairs Workforce.”

It was a full-circle moment, being able to not only present on the work, but to formally introduce it in a space filled with leaders who are living this work every day. If you’re interested in learning more or exploring the framework, I’d encourage you to check it out.

In between:

• Connecting with colleagues

• Attending sessions

• Building relationships

And then just like that… I was back on a plane to Tallahassee, heading straight back to work before finally getting a moment to breathe during spring break.

Reflection

This experience gave me more than a travel story.

It gave me clarity.

We spend a lot of time waiting for the right conditions:

• More rest

• Better timing

• Fewer obstacles

But life doesn’t always align like that.

Sometimes the conditions are messy.

Sometimes the systems fail you.

Sometimes you’re running on empty.

And still… the moment shows up.

What I was reminded of is this:

You don’t need perfect conditions to show up powerfully.

You need preparation. You need purpose. And you need perspective.

Because when the moment comes, you won’t always have the energy…

But if you’ve done the work,

if you know your material,

if you’re grounded in why you’re there—

You can still deliver.

That’s what carried me.

Not sleep.

Not comfort.

Not ideal circumstances.

Just preparation… and purpose.

Closing

I don’t know how I did it.

But I do know why I did it.

Because the work matters.

The people matter.

And showing up, even when it’s hard, matters.

And sometimes…