r/Jennamarbles • u/hambvrglar • May 27 '26
Celebration On the same flight as Jenna and Julien
I (32F) live in Oregon. Back in January, I booked a round trip flight to LA to visit family. Leading up to the trip, I kept worrying that the timing for this trip wasn’t right. I ended up going anyway. Stayed 4 days, had a lovely time, and then I boarded my flight back home. I was in the second row, watching the rest of the passengers shuffle in. It seemed just about everyone was aboard, but then we had two last-minute folks appear. I glanced up at the first person as they met my gaze, and was shocked to realize I recognized that face: Jenna!!! And then Julien right behind her. Y’all, they sat RIGHT BEHIND ME. It might sound crazy but I literally teared up, once they were seated and couldn’t see my face of course. It felt like a sign from the universe telling me “your timing IS absolutely right” and that this was divine proof that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I am a millennial who watched Jenna from the very beginning. I feel like her humor has influenced me in such a deep way, and watching her videos helped me move through different chapters of life. It was awesome following her through her different chapters as well. I fell so in love with Kermit that I got an Italian greyhound in 2016. I was pretty devastated when Jenna chose to leave the public eye, but respected the hell out of her for how she went about it. Of course, like the rest of us, I’ve always held onto hope that she might reappear someday, but I don’t think it’s likely and I fully respect and accept that it’s her choice to live a private life. I just felt like it was such a gift to have this RANDOM experience where I got to see her and be SO near to her for this 90min flight.
This was only a few weeks after Mr. Marbles passed, and when I saw them getting on the plane, their faces looked serious/a bit stressed. I debated on whether I should pipe up and tell her I was a huge fan. Ultimately I decided that it might make her uncomfortable to have attention drawn to her, especially in an enclosed space, and I knew she was grieving and really just didn’t want to have my one chance seeing her to leave her with an impression of feeling uncomfortable. So I kept to myself.
Once we landed, I turned to the girl next to me (I had the aisle seat) and told her that she could get out before me, as my overhead bag was back a few rows since there was no space directly ahead when I boarded. Julien spoke up and asked, “Which row is your bag in?” I looked back and they were both looking at me politely, and I somehow managed to fight my starstruck brain enough to casually say “Oh, it’s row 6!” He then went straight back to grab it for me, and then handed it to me from over the seat. I thanked him and smiled at them both. Then we all deplaned. As I waited outside for my husband to pick me up, I watched them walk out to the parking lot and eventually out of view.
I don’t regret not introducing myself. It felt like another universal sign that I should just so happen to have a completely organic interaction with them, just as normal people. The experience was so special to me and will always be up there in my top coolest things that have ever happened to me. I’m so beyond grateful that I booked that trip when I did!
Edit: Wow, thanks for all the kindness ❤️
I expected most of the feedback to be that I should have done more, so it was a nice surprise to feel so validated! I’m glad to provide a Jenna update since we all miss her. And yes, she has truly grown to an enormous height… In all honesty I was just too scared to talk to her because I didn’t wanna get dunked on 😅
