Five Plows and a Prayer
When your week starts with snow and ends at baggage claim.
This past week tested me in just about every way a winter week in Ohio can. It started with a monster snowstorm that dumped 16 inches on us, which meant five rounds of plowing just to make the driveway workable. By the time I finally cleared enough space to function, I had to pivot straight into travel mode for a work trip to Delray Beach, Florida.
What followed felt like a small endurance event rather than a business trip.
I booked the flights with plenty of cushion because, well, it’s winter. But even the best-laid plans don’t always cooperate. We left Cleveland late, which chopped my 2.5-hour layover in Chicago down to about one hour. Then we got stuck on the tarmac trying to get to our gate, and just like that, my buffer disappeared. I found myself sprinting through O’Hare like I was trying out for a reality show called “Miss Your Flight or Else.”
Somehow, I made it. They were still unloading, so I breathed for about five seconds. Then—maintenance issue. That delay pushed my arrival back so much that what should have been a normal travel day turned into over 12 hours door to door. Between that and my recent American Airlines saga in India, I think we might need a temporary separation.
Once I finally made it to Florida, the trip itself was… complicated. It was genuinely great to see our sales team and connect with people I respect, but the overall energy of the event just didn’t match last year. I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. Sometimes hype doesn’t land the way it’s supposed to, and that was definitely the case here.
The highlight of the week ended up being Charles Clark’s motivational talk, which says a lot. He was excellent—but when the motivational speaker is the best part of a product-focused event, you know something felt a little off.
Thankfully, United came through on the way home. The return trip was smoother, faster, and far less dramatic. I made it back and was in bed by 11 p.m., which felt like a small miracle given how the week started.
But honestly, none of the travel or work stress compares to the biggest thing weighing on me this week: missing my partner and Jasper. The house has been quiet in a way that feels too empty. No toddler footsteps, no shared chaos, no little moments that remind me why I work so hard in the first place. Just me, the dog, snow, and my thoughts.
And in that quiet, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for everything my partner does—especially around our home. Managing a career and keeping life running smoothly is no small thing. Holding down both roles while she’s overseas made that crystal clear.
The silver lining? They’re finally on their way back. Right now they’re in Abu Dhabi, and tomorrow I get to pick them up from the airport. I’ve spent the weekend cleaning, organizing, and getting the house ready—not because it had to be perfect, but because I want them to walk back into a space that feels warm, welcoming, and loved.
So as exhausting as this week has been, it’s ending exactly how I needed it to—with my family coming home.
The Dad Diary is about to return to its main storyline: Jasper, laughter, and a full house again.
And I can’t wait.