Jenna Dillulio embarked on a significant journey when she decided to fly with her daughter Ember for the first time in October. Despite her longstanding anxiety about flying, Jenna, with the encouragement of her therapist and family, believed that traveling with Ember would be a step towards overcoming her fear. This trip marked not only Jenna’s first flying experience with her daughter but also Ember’s maiden flight.
Their journey from Richmond, Virginia, to Pittsburgh to visit family went smoothly. However, it was during their return flight that Jenna stumbled upon a heartwarming surprise. The mothers’ nursing lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport was adorned with colorful sticky notes bearing uplifting messages from fellow traveling mothers. Overwhelmed with emotion, Jenna took a moment to read these notes, absorbing the warmth and encouragement they offered.
Jenna, a social media influencer, shared her touching experience on TikTok, resonating with many mothers who celebrated this beautiful gesture of public support. She emphasized the importance of such encouragement, especially for mothers traveling with their babies, highlighting the confidence boost it provides.
Christina Cassotis, the CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport and a mother herself, shared that the mothers’ lounge initiative was one of her early projects as CEO. The aim was to offer more than just a restroom for nursing mothers, ensuring they had a comfortable and supportive space.
Jenna’s trip with Ember turned out to be a delightful experience, with her daughter being the perfect travel companion. Jenna’s message to other mothers is one of empowerment and encouragement, echoing the sentiments she found on the sticky notes: “You are amazing, and we [mothers] are capable of so much. Know that you have the support of women around the world. You can do it.”