Try the Panini. It's Amazing.

Almost exactly two years ago, I was sitting at the Sam Adams pub in the old terminal of DCA. I should have been en route to Chicago-Midway for a reunion weekend with some college buddies, but—due to over-the-top flight delays—I found myself sucking down seasonal beer with GW undergrads and eating a decent ham panini from a neighboring food kiosk.

A familiar face approached our group and—likely noticing my sandwich—inquired, “Where am I supposed to get something to eat around here?”

It was the fresh-faced freshman senator from Illinois—traveling alone and hungry. He was dressed in a sensible suit and slighter in stature than I would have expected. If I remember correctly, this was right around the time that people started buzzing about his potential as a 2008 presidential candidate.

I looked at my sandwich wrapper and then back up at the senator. “Here’s what you’re going to do,” I started, “You’re going to head over to that kiosk over there and get the ham panini. It’s amazing.”

“Thanks,” he said and beamed us a smile before walking off.

Later on, I saw him sitting alone. He appeared to be eating a salad.

Prior to boarding, I approached him. “Mr. Senator, would you mind a quick picture?” He graciously obliged and then boarded the plane to take his (middle!) seat.


Later that night—on Chicago’s north side—my buddies and I somehow ended up getting a ride home from a late-night spot in the back of a Sun-Times delivery truck. We had to pitch in and toss bundles at a few stops, but it was worth it to have shelter from the bitter, windy cold. Tragically, I lost my keys at some point.