This post is sponsored by Rochester International Airport
The idea of a family vacation felt out of reach back in 2016. We were smack in the middle of my 3 year old’s cancer treatment. We were all stressed out: not just us, but our eight-year-old as well. When we got an amazing invitation to travel to North Carolina for a week on the beach, we didn’t know if we would be able to travel with a medically fragile three-year-old. It all felt a bit daunting, but we felt the urge to try. Enjoying a private beach house with beloved friends felt like just the right thing we needed to get out of our heads for a bit. We tried to find the puzzle pieces that would make this trip feasible. One of those pieces was a safe and easy flight plan.
Deciding on RST
It’s alway the quintessential question – fly out of Rochester or Minneapolis? When the travel bug hits me, I have found myself searching for the Rochester options instead. The Rochester International Airport is a much easier choice for my family, and I have been lucky to find some good deals. When we decided we were going to attempt to take Hannah to the beach, we made the decision early on to fly out of Rochester. Less car time, easier check in, and we are fortunate to have family nearby to drop us off (translation: no parking hassles!) A taxi or Uber to our local airport is super easy and affordable as well.
An Unforgettable Security Check
We were taking some risks flying with a medically fragile child. When we arrived at RST, there was no line to check our bags, and no line for security. We all made it through until I got tagged for the lovely search. It happens. As I made small talk with the security guard, I looked over her shoulder. Hannah was sitting on the metal table behind the x-ray machine, puking into our makeshift puke bowl my husband was holding (a holiday Christmas cookie tupperware container). The security guard caught notice and asked about Hannah. As I explained her cancer diagnosis, the tears ran down my cheeks and s
he gave me the biggest, kindest hug. They helped us collect our things, and as I tied my shoes up again, the guards loaded up both my kids with stickers and sent us on our way with smiles and concern behind their eyes. It was then I realized that the smaller airport was the best option for flying with Hannah. The message had somehow been passed to the gate employees, and we got on the plane first to get Hannah settled.
Endless Options, Personal Service
We made it to North Carolina with ease. We took our fragile daughter and dipped her toes in the ocean. We sat on rocking chairs and sipped coffee, looking out over the sea. We scoured the beach for seashells and ate dinner with friends who are family. We gave our son a week of normalcy away from being the big brother of a childhood cancer kiddo. It was an amazing trip, made just a bit easier with a start at the Rochester International Airport. I’m a fan of our small airport that gives me the option of making our trips a little easier, and more accessible for families like mine. It’s evident that the staff is used to making accommodations for those traveling with special needs. Since this trip, we’ve taken one more family vacation, and flew out of Rochester as well. When we came home, the transition back to the real world was so much easier.
