Earlier this weekend, luck would have it that my jumpseat was positioned in front of three interesting people: Ashwyn and Kathy who have been married for 40 years and Ritchie, an occupational therapist from East Vancouver who is now based in the UK.
Here's the conversation:
*taxing on runway*
Me: *fastens four point seatbelt* "So! *looks at Ashwyn, Kathy and Ritchie* were you all on vacation in Vancouver?"
Ashwyn: "Yes, our fifth time in Vancouver. We love it here. Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Islands.....
Kathy: *smiles and looks up occasionally from her newspaper*
*plane climbs to leveling altitude*
Me: "And you sir?" *looks over at Ritchie*
Ritchie: "My sister got married. I haven't been home to Vancouver for five years!"
Me: "Wow! Sounds like you all had fun here. I wanna hear more.*seatbelt sign turns off * Hang tight, I'll be right back! I'm Clara by the way."
So much for conversing with Ashwyn, Kathy and Ritchie for the duration of the flight. However, I resumed where we all left off just prior to descent into London England.
*does seatbelt checks and fastens self back to jumpseat after nine hours of inflight service*
Me: *looks at all three passengers* "Well, how did everyone enjoy the flight??"
Ashwyn: "It was definitely a good ending to our anniversary trip!"
Me: *looks at Kathy and Ashwyn* Omg, how long have you guys been married for?
Ashwyn and Kathy: *both looking at each other* It'll be 40 years as of July 9!
Me: *notices Ritchie raising his eyebrows* "WOW, well, how did you two meet?"
Kathy: "In university actually. I was the secretary and Ashwyn was studying for his pharmacology degree."
Me; "oh, a drug dealer, I see!" Legitimate of course! *everyone around vicinity chuckles* So did both of you know you were right for each other from the beginning?"
Kathy: "Well, Clara, I was only 16 when I met Ashwyn and he was 20. So there was an age difference there.
Ashwyn: "Ahem, actually, I had just turned 21 when I met you."
Me: "Oh, that doesn't matter! *waves hands* love is love. Did your parents object to this aspect of the relationship? What did they think?"
Kathy: *looks over at Ashwyn* Well, it was the wrong color, Clara.
Me: *widens eyes* oh my gosh, pardon? *takes me a few seconds to realize what Kathy meant*
Ashwyn: *nods sadly* My parents weren't supportive of us being together. We of course, as you can tell, come from different cultural backgrounds."
Me: "My gosh, I honestly did not even notice. So your parents didn't want you two together because......because of skin colour??
Kathy and Ashwyn: *both nodding and looking at each other* "It was difficult, but we stuck through it."
Me: "Honestly, true love is colour blind. I can't imagine choosing a significant other based on the skin colour we have in common. This is just crazy. I mean, on the list of requirements...skin colour shouldn't even be on the list!!
Ashwyn: "It was difficult Clara. Challenging your parents back in the day to be with the love of your life. Back then you see, there were not alot of interracial relationships.
Me: Well, I'm so glad both of you ended up together. I guess true love does rise to the top doesn't it? :)
Ashwyn and Kathy: *squeezes hands* yeah.
Me: *looks over at Ritchie* What about you? When are you returning to East Van!
Ritchie: "Man, I dunno. I miss my friends big time. They all threw me this bbq on Friday. Man.....I miss Asian food so much. Ate out everyday I was here. Sushi, stir fry, wontons, more sushi...*laughs*
Me: "Well, when do you think you will be back?! "
Ritchie: "Maybe after two more years. I wanna travel Europe a bit more".
Me: *tightens seatbelt as plane touches down* *gives Ritchie a high five from jumpseat* Well, you'll be back. There's so much health care careers in Vancouver.
Well, there you have it, a conversation from my jumpseat. A couple married for 40 years despite parental objections and an East Van boy keeping friendships alive from halfway across the world.
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