The summer is winding down for my five-year-old son Augustine. With school starting next week, I decided to take him to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for a boys’ night out.
Beautiful Memories From Boys’ Night Out At LAX
All summer, Augustine has asked to go the airport. All summer, we’ve been too busy…he’s accompanied me on several trips to the airport, but always just to drop me off or pick me up…what he wanted was to spend time walking around the terminals and checking out airplanes.
Earlier this week, I resolved that we would do so…I cannot believe how fast the summer flew by. But rather than just a day at the airport, I thought I’d make it a bit more fun. So I reserved a room at the Hyatt Regency LAX and booked a same-day return to Mexico.
My son is at a formative age in which he learning to think critically and develop his interpersonal relational skills. The sibling rivalry with his younger sister can sometimes be intense and I wanted to take a full day to spend not just looking at airplanes, but talking with Augustine and giving him personal attention. Boys need fathers to be fathers and by that I mean that young men need proper masculinity modeled in order to maximize emotional growth and cultivate behaviors that will be beneficial for the rest of their lives. The concern is not that I travel too much, but that the days are so packed when we are home (which is most of the time) that we don’t make time to bond in the form of extended time together. It’s one thing to speak around the dinner table or read together at night, but it’s another to invest a whole day in your child.
Augustine knew we were going to airport, but he had no idea we were going to stay the night or fly. We parked at In-N-Out and watched LH450 from Frankfurt, a beautiful Lufthansa A340-300, gracefully fly over our heads and land.
Then an Air Canada 737 MAX 8, followed by an Alaska-Horizon Embarer jet and a Delta 737.
As we walked into the Hyatt Regency lobby, he was confused…a hotel? When I told him we’d be spending the night, a huge grin spread across his face and his first question was whether the hotel had a pool. Yes, son…that’s the reason I chose it.
Our room had a great view of runways 25R/7L and 25L/7R.
But before we looked at any more planes, we went swimming. Augustine has been taking lessons this summer and is getting quite good.
We then had a “drink” at the bar of the hotel…club soda for me, orange juice for Augustine.
Next, we walked back to In-N-Out for a picnic dinner watching the planes land. Oh how fun it was to see Augustine get so excited as aircraft flew in over our heads or took off in front of us.
By the way, the 4×4 is highly recommended. Usually I have a Double Double and a cheeseburger at In-N-Out, but the 4 x 4 (four patties with cheese) was great.
After getting our fill of airplanes and French Fries, we hopped in the car and drove over to Manhattan Beach for Spagehttieis (spaghetti ice cream) at Gelato Angel, though when we were there Augustine chose an ice cream cone instead.
Then it was back to the hotel where read a chapter from The Horse And His Boy and then went to bed.
I was up early the next morning to blog while Augustine slept in, but around 8:00am we both had breakfast downstairs. I’ll offer a full review of the property, but the breakfast spread was very nice.
Then it was over to the airport where another treat awaited Augustine. The plan was to fly to Las Cabos. I was going to fly there and fly right back, just so we could get up in the air. I chose Delta because each seat had a screen…and I wanted to check out the new lounge at LAX. Fares to Las Vegas were a $40 cheaper, but I would not have been able to use my ITA Airways Volare Executive status for lounge access on a domestic flight.
The new lounge in Terminal 3, by the way, is beautiful. I loved it and look forward to spending more time there. Not only was the food great, but the staff was wonderful and the tarmac views from the terrace great.
A work-related emergency arose (story of my summer…), tying me up on the phone for the next three hours in the lounge. I postponed our flight and had to hand over the iPad to Augustine…exactly what I did not want to do.
Oh well, he learned about our solar system and then about flags of the nations…hopefully he’ll retain some of it.
By the time I was done it was pushing 1:00pm and we decided to take a bus over to the Bradley Terminal to check out some more planes. Walking on the tarmac and seeing planes close up is always fun.
We saw all kinds of beauties:
Before heading home, we walked back to the hotel and went up to the top floor to watch LH452 from Munich arrive, another A340. We had checked out earlier, but the room key still worked in the elevator.
One benefit to a day trip to Cabo was arriving back home later in the day so we could avoid the heaviest of traffic. It took twice as long to get home as it does in the evening, but a “miracle” occurred during the ride…Augustine took a nap. Just like when he was two years old and we’d go the airport together.
CONCLUSION
Even without the flight, we still had a great day together at LAX. For parents who may be reading, especially fathers with sons, I cannot recommend this enough. Giving your children one on one time is so essential and I was blessed by the time. Judging by the way in which Augustine told Heidi about what we did once we got home, he had a wonderful time as well.
I love this. Lifetime memories.
But I don’t know why you say especially fathers with sons. For many years I’ve done airport days with my two daughters, and each has had one same-day-turn flight with me (though I would no longer do that as I now consider it an excess). Doesn’t matter what gender you are, you can obsessively enjoy planes and flying.
I didn’t mean it in that way. I’ll be doing the same thing with my daughter once she gets a bit older. She already is showing a love of airplanes. This is a great bonding opportunity for mothers too. This would have been a fun family trip as well.
I only meant that there is unique bond between father and son and that in an age in which there is so much confusion over human dignity, it is essential that fathers teach (and more importantly model) respect, compassion, and proper boundaries to their boys from a young age.
What a wonderful story about a boy and his Dad! What surprised me most is the criticism coming from haters all around. What dumb comments….It’s a great story with wonderful pics.
“Boys need fathers to be fathers and by that I mean that young men need proper masculinity modeled in order to maximize emotional growth and cultivate behaviors that will be beneficial for the rest of their lives.”
What a rude insensitive statement. What about lesbian & gay couples or single moms who would do anything for children who might not have access to “proper” masculinity figures? What is proper?
Are their sons doomed without maximal emotional growth and cultivate behaviors?
No, they are not. Kindly do not put words in my mouth. But a loving father-figure in a boy’s life is objectively a good thing. Go read the science. Kids without fathers can do perfectly fine in life, but having a stable father or male figure is a good thing which should be celebrated and does not speak negatively of the dynamics you refer to.
Sorry. I have no idea
Weird hill to die on for a travel blog.
Yep, pretty much. Or at the very least, they are at a disadvantage.
What a shallow interpretation.. typical npc response.
Thanks for the follow-up comment. I happen to be a gay man who thought the comment was insensitive. This is the first time I’ve ever commented publically on a social post…and, will think twice before doing so again. I know both masculine-free male & female households who have sons and don’t think there should be a projected judgement on their upbringing. Regardless what “science” says…BeKind…BeInclusive Cheers!
Great story. Thank you
Yum.
Love the matching Burberry shirts!
This is so sweet! This will surely be one of your son’s fondest childhood memories.
So cute. I did this with my son a few times. He’s 13 and still talks about it. These people complaining about your fatherhood comments are just jealous ninnies. You are absolutely right and Augustine is so lucky to have you as his dad.
Wear ear plugs. No need to go deaf listening to airplane engine noises.
Enjoyed this. C00l day.
Excellent reading Matt. Hope you get another airport day with Augustine and a Cabo “ turn too”!
We will certainly take a flight soon. There’s a new Hyatt in Mexico I want to check out. Maybe we’ll go to San Miguel de Allende so we can stay at Numu.
I’d say kudos to you, but this is exactly what a father should do for their children especially our son’s. I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment and as a father I have done the same with my son.
As father’s our greatest reward is seeing our children especially our son’s take the lessons/love/time we give them and flourish in good ways.
What they remember is not just the sights, they remember that time my dad spent the whole day with me, and it was great!
Ah heck…Kudos to you!!!
Great post @Matthew! Love the interaction with your little one. They grow way too fast so enjoy every moment.
A totally unrelated comment but it came to mind when I saw your son drinking a bottle of orange juice. This morning while going through security at AMS Schiphol, I told my son to throw the water bottle before going through security and the agent told me it wasn’t necessary. I was surprised but he said it is fine now to carry liquids in big bottles. We kept the water in the backpack and they asked to check his backpack. WTH!! Well, apparently they have to scan the water bottle separately and within 30 seconds we were good to go. Hopefully TSA will learn from them.
Matthew, this is really heartwarming. I find it deeply touching how you strive to make your son have the best time growing up and how seriously you assume responsibility in being the best father for him. There is nothing stronger than this bond and it will last for life if you keep nourishing it. I wish your family all the blessing on earth – you certainly deserve it. Rest assured, the day will come that Augustine will need this one person he has the deepest of trust into…and it will be you whom he will seek advice from. Because you are his role model.
And please, keep such content coming up. We love to read about your family adventures.
Kind regards from Germany!
Did. Not. Stop smiling on every word and photo!
Perfect day. Almost in tears.
Great job Dad! As a gay person I believe a strong dad son relationship is essential. 2nd a strong, good male figure. Thanks for sharing!
As another gay person I completely agree with you. Great job Matt, and wonderful post!
Great blog post, Matthew…
Love this!!! As a father to two young kiddos (boy and girl), agree 100% with your commentary on the importance our role. I’m inspired to do a similar trip!
#PostOfTheYTD, hands down.
BTW, your son is wicked cute.
I’m not a Mainer, in fact never been closer than Bahston, but I like this vernacular!
Love this!
Does Augustine have a favorite plane or airline, or not yet?
He loves the Lufthansa 747 best, like his dad!
Ha my middle son does too!!! He’s 9 and is starting to get close to me in plane livery spotting.
Overnight in the Sheraton in Frankfurt with a dose of plane watching from the outdoor platform then a flight home on the upper deck the next day was one very special trip.
Matthew, I loved this post. Augustine is as cute as can be and I, too, love his hair. So many adventures still to come.
My two-years-old today granddaughter has had a passport since she was about six weeks old.
I’d recommend that you start a flight log for your 2 kids with at least the date, airline/flight number, equipment used, scheduled arrival and departure times, aircraft registration number, and area for comments. If not, the info will be lost.
I’m hopeful that Augustine won’t become a skinhead, fentanyl user, or bully. If he does, he should know that it could affect his ability to take flights, which is not permitted for prisoners.
What a great father! GREAT!
My son is 3 and this summer our family took a six week trip from SF to SIN-PEN-KUL-MUC. Fortunate my wife and I have jobs that allows us such flexibility. Got to check out several great business class products with my kids and one thing I notice in all the photos in the airport/on the plane is my son’s smile (my daughter is just 1 so she’s happy as long as she has cheerios). It’s just like Augustine in the way it lights up the room. There’s nothing like that in the world. Memories I’ll cherish without a doubt. One of your best posts ever.
Beautifully written Matthew! And so many memories for Augustine (which he can refresh by reading your blog years from now).
Great post and you are a wonderful father, Matthew. Those days will never be forgotten.
Did you have trouble accessing the Delta lounge with your ITA card? Some reports suggest that Delta doesn’t honor the benefits because ITA isn’t a full SkyTeam partner.
The lounge matrons had never heard of ITA Airways, but once I showed them on their screen it was a SkyTeam choice, I had no trouble getting in.
At first they flat out denied me and thought my ITA card was a credit card of some kind. But I stayed calm and polite and we worked our way through it.
I never got a physical card from ITA
So my father died when I was 8 years old and my mom raised me to be a good, successful, happy man. Would it have been nice to have my father with me, of course but life isn’t easy.
I suggest you think a little more about life’s circumstances before you make judgements and generalize masculinity.
So sorry, but you are totally missing what I am saying. My grandfather died when my father was seven. She raised him alone. It made me all the more thankful that he was able to raise me and is still with us today.
Love it!
What a great ecperience or Augustine!! HOw long were you in Cabo???
Guess I’m gonna need to make a trip to Gelato Angel