We all know how annoying Transportation Security Agency (TSA) regulations at the airport can be. When the TSA was established after the tragic events of 9/11, we understood why we needed to put up with these regulations, but sometimes the rules are applied a little too harshly.
While Ivelise Hernandez was waiting her turn at a TSA checkpoint, she was witness to a heartbreaking scene that compelled her to find out more about what had happened. She never imagined that her curiosity would lead her on a quest to return something precious to its rightful owner.
A Man Wept As He Threw Away A Package At The Airport
As Ivelise stood in line to go through security with her boyfriend, Rico Bankston, accompanying her, they realized that things were taking even longer than usual. Puzzled, they listened closely as a man ahead of them argued with the TSA agents over his carry-on luggage.
But the argument wasn't about the size of the man's carry-on. Rather, he was pleading to be allowed to take a package in his carry-on with him. When the TSA agents staunchly refused, the man reluctantly threw the package away. Ivelise and Rico could see that he had tears in his eyes.
A Nearby Couple Who Saw The Whole Thing Decided To Investigate
Ivelise and Rico had witnessed the majority of the exchange. The man was clearly very upset, and Ivelise felt bad for him. Normally, she probably wouldn't have gotten involved in what appeared to be a security matter, but she had a feeling there was more to this story.
Therefore, Ivelise asked her boyfriend to fish the package out of the trash for her. Though Rico probably questioned her mental health at that moment, he understood how she felt. And so he hesitantly walked over to the trash bin, looking around to make sure no one was watching, and began rummaging through the garbage.
The Item Within Was More Than Met The Eye
Rico wasn't going on the flight with Ivelise, so he could return home with the package. As he considered opening the box, he must have been filled with anxiety about what it might contain. Was it something dangerous? Nonetheless, he knew Ivelise would be dying to know what was inside, so he gathered his courage.
When Rico finally opened the package, at first he wondered if it had been worth the trouble. But as he more closely examined the item within, he realized it probably was very special to someone. As soon as Ivelise found out, she knew she had to find the man who had wept over this item.
It All Started As An Ordinary Day For Ivelise
When Ivelise left for her scheduled flight to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she didn't expect the day to be anything but ordinary. As she prepared to head to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater airport in Tampa, Florida, the foremost thing on her mind was probably making sure she'd packed everything.
Isn't it funny how the most meaningful moments in our lives tend to come when we least expect them? That's exactly what happened to Ivelise shortly after she stepped out of her car and into the airport. She could never have foreseen the adventure that awaited her at the security checkpoint.
Rico Decided To Tag Along For The Ride To The Airport, Also Oblivious Too What Lay Ahead
Wishing to spend as much time with his girlfriend as possible before she left for Pittsburgh, Rico accompanied Ivelise to the airport. He could've just dropped her off, but he also got out of the vehicle and went inside to keep her company, knowing how long TSA lines and airport security can take.
With Rico by her side, Ivelise didn't need to buy any books to entertain herself as she trudged through the maze of security lines. They were probably just making small talk when everything suddenly came to a grinding halt at the security checkpoint in front of them.
They Saw A Man Arguing And Then Pleading With The Security Guards
Turning their gaze ahead, Ivelise and Rico saw a man strenuously objecting to the TSA agents' orders to throw away something in his carry-on. In desperation, he even tried to bargain for the object in question to be placed in the lost-and-found. The agents were unmoved by his pleas.
The man looked very distraught, and Ivelise couldn't help but wonder why he cared so much about this object. Finally giving up, with a heavy heart he threw the problematic package in the trash. Moved to pity, Ivelise decided to find out whether she could do something to help the poor guy.
The TSA Officer Was Unyielding To The Man's Pleas
At a time when those of ill intent can use all kinds of ruses to accomplish their nefarious deeds, it's understandable that the TSA has to be very strict as preventive measures keep tightening restrictions. But some regulations are little known and can be very subjective.
As a result, some innocent people can wind up on the wrong side of these regulations, such as this man. But when Rico rescued the package from the garbage, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. All the way home, he probably wondered about the mysterious object beside him in the car.
Ivelise Boarded The Plane Wondering What Was In The Package...
Ivelise kissed Rico goodbye and boarded her flight. She was so curious to know the package's contents that it was all she could think about during the entire flight. Unsurprisingly, the first thing she did once she got off the plane was get her boyfriend on the phone.
After all the suspense, Rico finally revealed that the object inside the package was...a snow globe. But before Ivelise could feel too disappointed, he went on to describe the snow globe. As it turned out, these details would be key to discerning the item's significance.
Upon Closer Inspection, The Item's True Value Became Clear
Rico began explaining to Ivelise that this was no ordinary snow globe. It had clearly been custom made. There was a picture frame within the glass showing an elderly couple on one side and a little girl tenderly embracing a dog on the other side.
More importantly, a loving message and a date had been engraved on the bottom of the snow globe, indicating that the elderly couple was the girl's grandparents. The item's value obviously went far beyond money. Deeply moved, Ivelise was determined to send this precious gift back where it belonged.
On A Quest To Deliver The Snow Globe!
Once Ivelise was back home, she told Rico they needed to do something about the special snow globe. Judging by the man's reaction at the airport, the object must be sorely missed. The question, of course, was how to go about finding its original owner.
Ivelise and Rico had very little information to go on. All they knew was that the man had taken a flight from the airport located in Tampa, Florida. The engraved message was signed "Nana and Papa," so the elderly couple was probably the man's parents, but that didn't reveal much, either.
Where To Start Looking Though?
Together, Ivelise and Rico discussed where they could start looking for the snow globe's owner. It wasn't like any textbooks could offer guidance in this situation. Asking the airport for the man's flight schedule was also out of the question. Such information would be considered too sensitive.
Eventually, the couple determined that the best place to begin their search was social media. In this age of interconnectedness, they hoped that they would somehow be able to contact the man at the airport. They decided to start with one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.
Facebook Was The Obvious First Choice
Facebook is one of the oldest social media platforms still in widespread use, so Ivelise and Rico decided to post a message and a picture of the snow globe there. Once the information was published, they would keep checking the Facebook account for any replies.
In the message, Ivelise explained the circumstances under which she had found the snow globe, also including the message engraved on the bottom of its base. She thought perhaps other people would be just as moved as she was and decide to share the post, but she didn't get her hopes up.
Ivelise & Rico Didn't Trust A Hope At First
Since Ivelise and Rico had no idea where the man was flying to, it seemed highly unlikely that he would one day read the post. After all, they only knew a small circle of family and friends on Facebook, and none of them would know this man.
Nonetheless, the couple felt that they had to try. Although they weren't expecting much of a response, it was the least they could do for the man. But then something amazing happened that would bring smiles to both their faces: the post started gaining traction.
The Internet Mobilized Fast And Results Came Before Long
More people responded to the Facebook post than Ivelise and Rico would ever have anticipated. Ivelise's message tugged at so many heartstrings that it wasn't long before the information was being shared by people the couple didn't even know. The chances of reaching the man seemed to be increasing.
Ivelise was probably getting constant notifications on her phone about all the activity on her Facebook page as she eagerly watched and waited. Eventually, someone reached out, but not whom she was expecting. This person had nothing to do with the man at the airport.
They Found Where The Globe Came From...
When a random person approached Ivelise on Facebook, she wasn't sure how this person could help her locate the owner of the snow globe. Still, she figured there was no harm in hearing the person out. She wasn't disappointed: the information this person shared turned out to be the breakthrough she had been waiting for.
The person had recognized not the man but the snow globe: it was the kind sold at a store called Things Remembered, where this person happened to work. Now all Ivelise had to do was see if she could get access to the store's customer information.
...But For More They Had To Go Directly To The Manufacturer
When Ivelise reached out to Things Remembered, the store got her in touch with the manufacturer of this type of customized snow globe. She probably had to explain to the manufacturer why she needed the contact information of the person who had ordered the item.
We're sure that this company wasn't normally inclined to divulge its clients' personal information, but the person on the other end of the line must have been able to tell Ivelise's motives were pure. And so she was given the client's name and phone number.
Bingo! The Original Buyer Was Called Linda Modry
The name of the client was Linda Modry, who was enjoying her retirement with her husband. Linda had requested that the snow globe be made as a present for their five-year-old granddaughter, Katie Moore, the little girl shown in the picture frame within the glass.
When Ivelise called Linda, the grandmother explained what had happened. The distraught man at the airport was Katie's father, Michael Moore, who had been tasked with delivering the present. But as Ivelise knew perfectly well, the package had never arrived. Katie had been so disappointed.
Katie Was About To Be Surprised Big Time
Thanks to Ivelise's persistence, Katie wouldn't be disappointed for much longer. All that remained now was to set a time and place to return the snow globe to Linda. The grandmother must have been so happy to get another chance to deliver the gift to Katie's home in Ohio.
Linda was very grateful to Ivelise for orchestrating this unexpected turn of events. By this time, the family had probably given up on ever seeing the package again. The most painful part of this fiasco hadn't been the money wasted on the gift but the unfairness of being forced to toss it in the trash.
The Media Caught Whiff Of The Story
When the media heard about Ivelise's viral Facebook post, they decided to cover it on the local news. And so members of the press contacted Ivelise to get the story directly from the source. At the time, Linda and Ivelise hadn't met each other yet.
Unsurprisingly, reporters wanted to be there when the two of them met. After all, this was a fascinating story about the kindness of strangers. Ivelise had unwittingly made local celebrity news. Now everything was arranged for Ivelise to personally deliver the snow globe to Linda.
Linda Braved A Storm To Get The Package Back
On the day that Linda was to go to Ivelise's home and claim the snow globe, there was a heavy rainstorm, as tends to happen in Florida at that time of the year. Nonetheless, Linda was determined to pick up her gift for her granddaughter.
No inclement weather was going to stop her from reaching Ivelise's home. Linda probably drove her vehicle very carefully to avoid having an accident. When she finally arrived, photographers were waiting to capture the long-awaited moment. Both Linda and Ivelise must have been very excited to meet.
Linda Was Deeply Grateful And Didn't Come Empty-Handed
As a small thank-you for all the trouble Ivelise had gone to, Linda brought her a lovely bouquet of flowers. The two women embraced in a touching moment that warmed everyone's heart. It was beautiful to see such a close connection emerge from a random act of kindness.
Ivelise had had multiple opportunities to leave well enough alone. She could've been indifferent at the airport. Once she'd found out the gift wasn't something she would receive a generous reward for returning, she could've simply tossed it back in the trash. Instead, she went out of her way to find the true owner.
As A Parting Gift, Linda Unveiled A Secret About The Snowglobe
So much time had passed that Katie would now receive her present in a different context: it just so happened that her sixth birthday was approaching. Thanks to Ivelise, Linda would be able to bring it to little Katie in time for her special day.
But Ivelise noticed something that didn't quite add up: Katie's birthday didn't correspond to the date engraved on the base. What else could it refer to? Before heading back to her car, Linda conveyed the special significance of the inscription on the bottom of the snow globe.
The Real Meaning Behind The Date
It turned out that the date engraved on the snow globe corresponded not to Katie's birthday but to the day she had joined the family. As Linda explained, it was the day Katie's adoption had become official, which was what made the present so special.
Katie's adoptive grandparents had wanted to remind her how happy they were to have her in their lives, so they'd had the loving message and date engraved on the bottom. This revelation brought Ivelise to tears. All of her hard work had more than paid off.
Linda Called Michael, The Man Who Was Forced To Throw Away The Globe
Linda then surprised Ivelise by calling Michael, the man who had started it all, to tell him the good news of the snow globe's recovery. Technology brought them all together yet again. Michael thanked Ivelise profusely for rescuing the present and trying to find him.
It was a joyous moment for everyone. But there was one more person for Ivelise to meet. Now that the adults had fully expressed their gratitude, it was time to put Katie on the line. The little girl was very excited when she found out.
Then Katie Came On The Line, And She Was Exctatic!
When Linda told Katie over the phone that she had her present, her reaction was priceless. Like most children, Katie couldn't contain her excitement, screaming with joy. This probably was one of the most memorable moments in the entire story. Ivelise was happier than ever.
Ivelise had no doubt that Katie would cherish her grandparents' present. Seeing the joy she had brought to a little girl must have been a very satisfying experience. Afterward, Linda explained how she was going to make sure the present would arrive safely this time.
Linda Made Sure The Package Would Be Delivered This Time
Linda was going to deliver the package herself to her son's property in Ohio. Although she still planned to fly there, she had learned from Michael's disastrous mistake: after wrapping it carefully, she would bring the snow globe in her checked suitcase instead of her carry-on.
Since strict TSA regulations had been the root of the problem, Linda was going to bypass the TSA agents altogether. Everyone agreed that this was the wisest course of action. Ivelise decided to tell everyone on social media that everything had finally been made right again.
Everyone Loved The Happy Ending
Using her cable internet service, Ivelise brought everyone on Facebook up to date on how the story had ended. When they found out that the snow globe had been returned to the original buyers, Katie's grandparents, everyone couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome.
The entire Facebook community that made this possible must have been very proud. After all, Ivelise would never have received the crucial tip if their reposts hadn't reached the Things Remembered employee. People congratulated Ivelise and celebrated her achievement, but to her it had simply been the right thing to do.
Ivalise Passed Her Values On To The Next Generation
When Ivelise got pregnant two years later, she was overjoyed, keeping her friends and family updated through social media. No one doubts she's going to be a great mom. Her moral values regarding integrity and community were evident throughout her journey to returning Katie's present.
We can be fairly certain Ivelise is going to pass her great moral fiber on to her children. With her admirable kindness, we're sure she'll set a great example for them to follow. She'll probably also teach them how to avoid running afoul of TSA regulations.
How To Check If You Can Bring Your Snow Globe Aboard A Plane
Thanks to Ivelise's story, we have become aware of one of the more obscure TSA regulations. Whenever we want to pack snow globes or similar objects, we should check the size of these items. If an item is smaller than a tennis ball, it can be packed in a carry-on.
Otherwise, we should put these items inside our checked luggage. Some cheap flights may only include a carry-on bag, but we need to keep in mind what the TSA will allow us to carry so that we'll have no problems bringing all of our belongings with us.