As I mentioned, this was my first time flying Virgin America and they sure won me over quickly. Everything about my experience was fantastic – great confirmed standby policy (I wasn’t sure when how long all this would take and when I’d be flying back), buy-ups to F for $50, cool interiors with lighting that flatters everyone, games, Tiesto, flight attendant outfits that look like regular clothes instead of something out of an old bin of polyester. I couldn’t find anything not to love.

As I was checking in, an agent asked me what was in the box. I’m sure he just wanted a one-word answer, but what spilled out was pretty much everything I’ve written here. I’m sure he was sorry he asked.

I intended to sleep on the way home, but got sucked into the games. I don’t usually check bags so it did cross my mind that this story could easily come to an end by me completely forgetting to head to baggage claim and never getting the box of orchids. But I made it …and my box made it.

I got to my car, shoved the box in the trunk and headed home, where I opened the box. There was green! I unwrapped each plant …more and more green. Some had blooms that survived, others had their buds in tact. They all made it.

I watered the orchids and called my son in Cambridge.

Five days, a cellphone, a pair of hiking boots, cargo fees, notary fees, FedEx fees, a trip to LA, a morning in a cab, more money than I care to add up, a melodramatic tale of woe …but they made it.

…and to think we could have just gone to Trader Joe’s.