BUENA PARK, CA — A group of strangers on a flight from Colorado to California made the day Dustin and Caren Moore brought their adopted newborn daughter home even sweeter than anticipated. In a thread on Twitter, Dustin Moore, who lives in Buena Park, shared his telling of the extraordinary act of kindness and how it reminded him “there is goodness to be had in this world.”
The couple were on a Southwest Airlines flight after recently being cleared to return home to California with their first child, Moore tweeted. After nine years of trying to become parents, he and Caren were “emotionally tender” and closing a difficult week — scared but determined to do well in their new roles, he said.
Their unique experience unfolded when the baby awoke mid-flight, in need of a diaper change, and a flight attendant named Jenny cleared a private space for them in the back of the plane.
“After a change, Jenny and another passenger complimented my beautiful daughter and politely asked what had prompted a flight with such a young infant,” Moore tweeted. “I gave them the shortened adoption story, to which they hastily offered congratulations, and shared a few more kind remarks.”
About 10 minutes later, the couple was greeted by another flight attendant named Bobby, who congratulated them after hearing about the adoption. Moore and his wife exchanged what he called “curious looks,” but thought nothing more of it, he said.
Then an announcement was made on the plane’s intercom. It was Bobby, and he announced there was a special guest on board — the Moores’ newborn daughter.
Bobby continued, saying the flight crew would pass out pens and napkins for passengers to offer advice or words of encouragement to the new parents.
“We sat in speechless gratitude as people kept peeking over their chairs to congratulate us,” Moore tweeted.
The crew then gathered the napkins and read a few of their favorites on the intercom.
Words of wisdom written on napkins for new parents Dustin and Caren Moore. PHOTO CREDIT: Dustin Moore
After the cheers calmed down for favorites like “make time for date night” and “drink lots of wine,” Jenny and Bobby approached the Moores with the bundle of napkins and a special set of pilot wings for their youngest passenger. To their surprise, the Moores learned Jenny and Bobby were married, and someone gifted them with a similar act of kindness on their honeymoon flight.
“(Jenny) thought it was a perfect opportunity to pay forward the kind act they had been shown on their honeymoon,” Moore tweeted. “Even as we disembarked, people kept approaching us and wishing us well, and complimenting our beautiful daughter. Our hearts were full.”
Moore said he’s unable to describe what the outpouring of love meant to him and Caren, and how it lifted up two new parents determined to love their daughter.
“This website is used oft as a means to share what’s wrongI hope you’ll take time to share what is good,” Moore said in his final tweet. “In a world of turmoil, don’t forget to showcase the Bobbys and Jennys, the kind strangers out there. And if they don’t cross your path, be one. Seek good, or create it.
Dustin Moore with his father, brother and newborn daughter at her baby shower. PHOTO CREDIT: Dustin Moore
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