"Passenger Enright, please come to the podium. Passenger Enright, to the podium at Gate A23."

I look up from my iPad with surprise, pick up my backpack, and make my way through the crowd waiting at the boarding gate. It's the end of Spring Break, and the airport is packed full of young travelers, nursing sunburns and mild hangovers from a week of adventures in paradise.

I stand in line behind a mother and her three young children. She's clearly frustrated.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but your section is completely full and checked in," the attendant explains in a professional tone, smiling sympathetically. "I don't know how your family got separated, but I'm working to figure this out."

The mother sighs and pulls the kids off to the side. The attendant catches my eye and smiles.

"Yes? How may I help you?"

"I'm Chris Enright," I say, unsure how to proceed.

"Ahh! Wonderful. Mister Enright, I'd like to offer you a free upgrade to business class. I need to free up a seat so that this family can travel together. Are you ok with this change?"

I almost laugh. "Of course!"

My spirits soar as I exchange boarding passes, feeling incredibly thankful, more so when I notice it's a window seat. I was dreading the grueling eleven hour flight from Hawaii to New York. I love traveling, but I can't sleep on planes, and these long flights are absolutely exhausting.

I've never flown business class, though. Maybe I'll actually get some sleep ...

The flight opens, our section is called, and I get a little thrill turning left at the aisle. A small pouch of personal goods are on the seat -- headphones, a pair of slippers, a small toothbrush with toothpaste, hand lotion, and eye covers. A nice touch, but what really excites me is the wide seat, and more than enough leg room for my six-foot frame -- even with my backpack and sweatshirt shoved under the seat in front of me.

I flex my legs and stretch my arms over my head, enjoying the space. An attendant offers me a glass of wine, which I gratefully accept and sip while I look out the window, watching the activity on the tarmac.

The cabin slowly fills.

I start to feel a little out of place in my casual tropical shirt and khaki shorts. Everyone else is dressed a little nicer, some people even wearing good suits and dresses. Oh well. I might be a little rough around the edges, but I have a great tan and a friendly smile.

Twenty minutes goes by as the plane boards. I finish my wine, pull out my iPad, and get back to my book. The head attendant announces that we're waiting a couple extra minutes for a passenger who got stuck in security, eliciting chuckles and murmurs from the cabin.

About five minutes later the attendant asks for the cross check ... and you sit down beside me, breathing hard and looking a bit embarrassed. I can't help but give you a sympathetic smile. You quickly regain your composure as you tuck your purse into the seat back pocket, smooth your skirt, run your fingers through your hair, and buckle your seat belt.

A sympathetic attendant hands you a glass of sparkling wine, and with a light jolt, the plane starts creeping backwards, away from the gate.

"Hi," I say. "I'm Chris."