Saying goodbye to my husband hasn’t gotten easier over the years. It’s just gotten weirder.
It used to be that I said goodbye to him in the privacy of our own home. A kiss and a hug, a promise to call once I arrived, and I’d be out the front door and on my way to the airport.
Those days are gone as my husband travels a great deal himself. This morning we said our private goodbyes – very publicly – on a Hertz rental car bus at O’Hare in Chicago, parting our ways due to different terminals. When the other riders saw us share a few kisses and hugs at 6am in the morning, we being a mature couple, I’m sure at least one semi-awake person was thinking, “Get a room!”
But when we’re going our separate ways, we have to make do with the situation. And yes, we keep our farewells rated somewhere between ‘G’ and ‘PG-13.’
We’ve said our goodbyes in taxis at the airport terminals, on trains and trams, in elevators and TSA lines, in airport club lounges and restaurants, at a deli, at the gate for a flight (too many times to count) and even while sitting on a plane together before takeoff. What, say goodbye sitting next to each other on a plane? This was very weird.
Both of us had first class upgrades on our way home from Las Vegas. How exciting – a rare flight actually sitting next to my husband, the first time all year! But it was not to be. The gate agent needed volunteers to come off due to weight restrictions related to Las Vegas heat. He volunteered; I didn’t. So we said our loving goodbyes while seated in Row 1. He disembarked for an extra night in Sin City while I settled in, now with no seat mate, heading east to the home of the happiest place on earth.
But it’s not always goodbyes. We also like to meet up in various cities. These meet-ups in random cities around the world are always fun but of course, they come with the inevitable goodbyes at the end.
It hasn’t gotten any easier to say goodbye even though we do it every week. It’s even harder when it’s a rushed goodbye as the rental car bus stops, a crowd standing in front of us.
If you happen to see a couple as they’re saying goodbye for yet another separation, please smile and be patient. Or stop and say hello. It may be us!
About The Author
Carol Margolis
Carol Margolis is a travel-loving consultant, speaker, trainer and innovator who works with corporate travel management, HR departments, meeting planners and the travel industry -- and, of course, travelers! She offers tactics and tools to help travelers who want simple, fun strategies for traveling smart. Carol is a frequent TV and radio guest, appearing on Good Morning America, CNN, Fox TV, in USA Today, New York Times, Reuters and much more. Follow her at both SmartWomenTravelers.com and BusinessTravelSuccess.com. .
My goodbye story is a bit of a selfish one. I was flying for business while my travel partner came to visit for leisure. Thus, I was flying business class and he economy on a different carrier. I said goodbye from the business class airport lounge while he headed for those terribly uncomfortable terminal chairs by the gate. Cruel? Perhaps. But after a glass of wine or two, it was all forgotten!
How true this happens to us. How about this awkward – You arrival at the same gate that your husband is departing…
Okay….yes I am in Florida, but the northern part of Florida, (We even get small amnutos of snow every couple of years and I am hoping it will be this year) so it does actually get cold enough to need jackets and I wear the scarves because they are just too cute to pass up (and my daughter loves the scarves and mittens so much that she would wear them even during the summer if I would let her!) Durting the day is still pretty warm, but last night was definately jacket weather. I look forward to the cold every year.