Maternal Instinct
Her relationship with her boyfriend wasn't exactly one that was ripe for bringing a baby into the world. Samantha had already been planning to leave the relationship. But the urgency suddenly struck her knowing she had a baby on the way. This time, Samantha knew she needed to be resolute and leave the relationship once and for all in order to protect herself and her baby. Sadly, things still hadn’t gotten any better, so one day she made a brave decision.
Her relationship with her boyfriend wasn't exactly one that was ripe for bringing a baby into the world. Samantha had already been planning to leave the relationship. But the urgency suddenly struck her knowing she had a baby on the way. This time, Samantha knew she needed to be resolute and leave the relationship once and for all in order to protect herself and her baby. Sadly, things still hadn’t gotten any better, so one day she made a brave decision.
Safe Haven
Her mother lived in Arkansas, where she sought out a safe haven. She believed she would have the time and space there to consider her next move and contemplate what to do going forward with the pregnancy. But it wasn’t necessarily easy. Samantha didn’t feel capable of raising a child on her own. She was considering her options when she ultimately decided that adoption would be the best route for herself and the baby. But just as she found an adoption agency that she liked, something else threw her plans off course.
Her mother lived in Arkansas, where she sought out a safe haven. She believed she would have the time and space there to consider her next move and contemplate what to do going forward with the pregnancy. But it wasn’t necessarily easy. Samantha didn’t feel capable of raising a child on her own. She was considering her options when she ultimately decided that adoption would be the best route for herself and the baby. But just as she found an adoption agency that she liked, something else threw her plans off course.
Feeling Trapped
Although Samantha loved her mother dearly, her mother’s house wasn’t what she had in mind for raising a baby. She didn’t believe the household was fit for an infant, but she was starting to feel that she was running out of options. The emotional roller coaster that the pregnant woman was experiencing was only enhanced further by all of the dilemmas in her personal life. And while she had hoped she’d be basking in the glow of pregnancy, she started to become discouraged and glum. It was then that she turned to an old source of relief.
Although Samantha loved her mother dearly, her mother’s house wasn’t what she had in mind for raising a baby. She didn’t believe the household was fit for an infant, but she was starting to feel that she was running out of options. The emotional roller coaster that the pregnant woman was experiencing was only enhanced further by all of the dilemmas in her personal life. And while she had hoped she’d be basking in the glow of pregnancy, she started to become discouraged and glum. It was then that she turned to an old source of relief.
Unlikely Connection
Samantha had harbored a passion for video games since she was 15. It was always what she turned to when she needed an escape from real life. For her, gaming always felt like a home away from home. Playing online also exposed her to all kinds of people she perhaps wouldn’t normally interact with. Through multiplayer gaming, she started talking to a young man named Tom. For months the two spent hours chatting, laughing and getting to know each other over the Internet. By then he knew all about Samantha’s situation. And although she was eight months pregnant, he pleaded for her to come visit him in North Carolina. But would she accept?
Samantha had harbored a passion for video games since she was 15. It was always what she turned to when she needed an escape from real life. For her, gaming always felt like a home away from home. Playing online also exposed her to all kinds of people she perhaps wouldn’t normally interact with. Through multiplayer gaming, she started talking to a young man named Tom. For months the two spent hours chatting, laughing and getting to know each other over the Internet. By then he knew all about Samantha’s situation. And although she was eight months pregnant, he pleaded for her to come visit him in North Carolina. But would she accept?
Missed Connection
After everything, Samantha couldn’t believe it when she realized she’d missed her transfer flight! She was tired and frustrated, but just when she started rethinking the whole thing, Tom made some calls and got her the next available standby spot. Samantha had to wait a while until a seat opened up, but eventually, something came up and she made her way again. She had no way of knowing then, but that missed connection flight would irrevocably change her life forever.
After everything, Samantha couldn’t believe it when she realized she’d missed her transfer flight! She was tired and frustrated, but just when she started rethinking the whole thing, Tom made some calls and got her the next available standby spot. Samantha had to wait a while until a seat opened up, but eventually, something came up and she made her way again. She had no way of knowing then, but that missed connection flight would irrevocably change her life forever.
In-Flight Friendship
Samantha’s relief was short lived as her nerves about flying soon returned. However, it turned out that she was seated next to a delightfully bubbly woman in her 40s named Temple. The woman was very friendly and sensing that Samantha was nervous, struck up a conversation with her. The two start chatting and Samantha found comfort in getting to know Temple. Although it was only an hour flight, the two women laughed and bonded, forging an instant friendship. While they had an enjoyable flight together, Samantha wasn’t expecting what happened when they got off the plane.
Samantha’s relief was short lived as her nerves about flying soon returned. However, it turned out that she was seated next to a delightfully bubbly woman in her 40s named Temple. The woman was very friendly and sensing that Samantha was nervous, struck up a conversation with her. The two start chatting and Samantha found comfort in getting to know Temple. Although it was only an hour flight, the two women laughed and bonded, forging an instant friendship. While they had an enjoyable flight together, Samantha wasn’t expecting what happened when they got off the plane.
All Of A Sudden
Samantha had just three days with Tom before she started having contractions. As the reality that the baby was coming struck her, the two frantically tried to decide whether Samantha had time to go home. Time was running out, though, and she had little choice. Ultimately, Samantha had no time to go home. Regardless, she wasn’t allowed on a plane at that stage in her pregnancy. Her contractions were growing stronger, and although Tom offered support and encouragement, they had to rush her to the hospital.
Samantha had just three days with Tom before she started having contractions. As the reality that the baby was coming struck her, the two frantically tried to decide whether Samantha had time to go home. Time was running out, though, and she had little choice. Ultimately, Samantha had no time to go home. Regardless, she wasn’t allowed on a plane at that stage in her pregnancy. Her contractions were growing stronger, and although Tom offered support and encouragement, they had to rush her to the hospital.
Emotional Rollercoaster
Having given birth out of state, the medical staff wasn’t necessarily aware of her situation. To make matters more distressing, the day after giving birth, Samantha was starting to feel overwhelmed and lonely as Tom had to go to work. Despite the joy of seeing her healthy baby, Samantha admitted that she still didn’t feel as much like a mother as she thought she should. So she called her mother but her unwavering insistence on raising the child only further upset Samantha. It was then, with tears running down her face, that a name popped in her mind: Temple.
Having given birth out of state, the medical staff wasn’t necessarily aware of her situation. To make matters more distressing, the day after giving birth, Samantha was starting to feel overwhelmed and lonely as Tom had to go to work. Despite the joy of seeing her healthy baby, Samantha admitted that she still didn’t feel as much like a mother as she thought she should. So she called her mother but her unwavering insistence on raising the child only further upset Samantha. It was then, with tears running down her face, that a name popped in her mind: Temple.
A Friendly Face
Samantha couldn’t have been happier when Temple arrived at the hospital. She was grateful for just a friendly face to keep her company. The two women caught up on what had occurred in the few days since their flight, but that wasn’t all. As the medical staff brought the baby into the room, Samantha asked Temple if she wanted to feed him. With trembling hands Temple agreed. As she held the child and lifted the bottle to his mouth, Samantha had an idea, but she hoped it wasn’t completely off the mark.
Samantha couldn’t have been happier when Temple arrived at the hospital. She was grateful for just a friendly face to keep her company. The two women caught up on what had occurred in the few days since their flight, but that wasn’t all. As the medical staff brought the baby into the room, Samantha asked Temple if she wanted to feed him. With trembling hands Temple agreed. As she held the child and lifted the bottle to his mouth, Samantha had an idea, but she hoped it wasn’t completely off the mark.
Family Dreams
Temple Phipps explained how she had previously been married but had never had any children. Even though she had been single for a while up until that point, she actually had always wanted kids. However, she’d always had some reservations. Seeing that Temple’s parents had divorced when she was young, she had always been very cautious about how and with whom she would have a family. Therefore, for several reasons, it just never happened for her. So as the shock wore off, she reached her emotional final answer.
Temple Phipps explained how she had previously been married but had never had any children. Even though she had been single for a while up until that point, she actually had always wanted kids. However, she’d always had some reservations. Seeing that Temple’s parents had divorced when she was young, she had always been very cautious about how and with whom she would have a family. Therefore, for several reasons, it just never happened for her. So as the shock wore off, she reached her emotional final answer.
Bittersweet Birth Announcement
Samantha was dreading the call to her mother, but she knew she had to inform her of her decision. Unfortunately, her mother didn’t take the news very well. Her mother felt upset and betrayed. Life again seemed uncertain for Samantha until she was pleasantly surprised yet again. Although they barely knew each other, Temple once again was at Samantha’s side. Samantha was blown away when Temple helped her make living arrangements and offered to help financially until Samantha could get her feet on the ground. It was at that moment that Samantha Snipes’s life was swept up in yet another whirlwind.
Samantha was dreading the call to her mother, but she knew she had to inform her of her decision. Unfortunately, her mother didn’t take the news very well. Her mother felt upset and betrayed. Life again seemed uncertain for Samantha until she was pleasantly surprised yet again. Although they barely knew each other, Temple once again was at Samantha’s side. Samantha was blown away when Temple helped her make living arrangements and offered to help financially until Samantha could get her feet on the ground. It was at that moment that Samantha Snipes’s life was swept up in yet another whirlwind.
Not Far
As it turns out, Samantha and her boyfriend Tom are still together and going strong. She lives only an hour’s drive from Temple and Vaughn and is able to visit them often. Actually, Samantha still has a fairly active role in their lives. Samantha regularly attends events in Vaughn’s life such as birthday parties. Samantha, Temple and Vaughn even have pictures of all three of them together and they have accepted that this is how their slightly unconventional family will be. Surprisingly, the bond between Samantha and Temple actually goes even further.
As it turns out, Samantha and her boyfriend Tom are still together and going strong. She lives only an hour’s drive from Temple and Vaughn and is able to visit them often. Actually, Samantha still has a fairly active role in their lives. Samantha regularly attends events in Vaughn’s life such as birthday parties. Samantha, Temple and Vaughn even have pictures of all three of them together and they have accepted that this is how their slightly unconventional family will be. Surprisingly, the bond between Samantha and Temple actually goes even further.
In Ink
Their amazing story understandably attracted a lot of media attention, but there’s still more to tell. Their lives have settled somewhat and they have had time to reflect on the incredible turn of events that led them to one other. Samantha and Temple are now thinking about writing a book together about the life-changing missed connection flight that sealed their destinies. In the meantime, they’ve found an adorable heartfelt way to document everything and encourage each other along the way.
Their amazing story understandably attracted a lot of media attention, but there’s still more to tell. Their lives have settled somewhat and they have had time to reflect on the incredible turn of events that led them to one other. Samantha and Temple are now thinking about writing a book together about the life-changing missed connection flight that sealed their destinies. In the meantime, they’ve found an adorable heartfelt way to document everything and encourage each other along the way.