While I was going through security at SFO on my way to Albuquerque via Denver, I heard someone call out, “Mr. Perry!”

Now when someone applies Mister to my last name it usually means it’s a student, a former student, or a parent of a student.

I looked over from whence the voice came and I spotted a former student, now an eighth grader, standing with other students and she was waving at me with a big smile on her face. She is also a big fan of Mr. Perry!

Turns out she was with other students from our feeder middle school and these eighth graders were about to catch a flight to Washington DC.

After making my way through security I joined the group for some hellos, hugs (one from a chaperone whom I’m still trying to identify), and selfies.

This was a very good start to my Fall Break and I watched some of my former students make their way onto their United flight to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

While the United flight was loading I sketched the plane at Gate F11 with the note: “My former Students” and an arrow pointing up to the fuselage.

My flight to Denver (then a transfer to Albuquerque) wouldn’t be boarding for another 45 minutes.

Once again, time well spent at SFO.