Leaving on a jet plane.

And now, the final part of the most amazing spring break I’ve ever known. Make sure you read parts one, two, and three to get caught up!

When we wrapped that Thursday, there was a town car waiting to take us to the airport, because that’s how movie stars roll. Ben Affleck sat in the front and talked politics with my dad, and it occurred to me that while he would never be the best actor, he was an incredibly intelligent person. It was getting late – at least 11pm, but the nice thing about flying on a private jet is that they don’t have a “departure time,” they leave whenever you want.

We got to the airport and boarded the private jet that had “been sent for Mr. Affleck,” and I could barely contain my excitement. But my dad’s number one rule for being at work with him was to remember that however I behaved would be a direct reflection on him, so I stifled my excitement and tried my best to put on a cool façade.

We boarded the plane and went through the easiest customs process I’ve ever been through, and while we were waiting to take off, my dad made noise about me not telling my mom that we were leaving later than planned. Ben Affleck, being a nice guy, offered up his cell phone.

I remember thinking – SHIT. How am I going to get through this phone call without gushing to my mom about where we are??

I somehow managed – “Hi mom… Yeah, we’re leaving late… No, I’ll stay at dad’s tonight and come home tomorrow… Yes, it’s been a fun trip… ok, bye!”

It got me some strange looks from both Ben Affleck and my dad, but then they announced we were ready for takeoff.

And Ben Affleck asked if I was curious how he’s known about my best friend. I babbled that of course I was, because how had he possibly known that my best friend’s name was Megan, and how could he know we called her Megs? Though I thought at the time that I pulled it off, I’m sure it sounded just as geeky as you might think it did.

He laughed, as if it was this awesomely great joke, and explained how there was a fan page online with message boards that he routinely checked. And how right before they’d gone to shoot that scene, he’d looked at it and had seen a post titled “[my dad’s name]’s daughter.” Megan had posted about how I was up there visiting, and how the weather in LA was really nice compared to Canada, but if he happened to see me, please tell me “Megs says hi.”

And he had! I was pretty impressed – not only did he read the fan boards, but he’d actually given two shits to say something. Again, what a nice guy!

The rest of the flight was uneventful – I listened to Lauryn Hill until the batteries on my discman died. I tried to soak up every second, fighting sleep by watching the stars, but by that point everyone else was asleep. The next thing I knew, we were landing and debarking the plane – Ben Affleck to be whisked away by another town car, and us to be greeted by taxi. Just like that, as quickly as everything else had been, my encounter was over.

In the taxi back to our house, my dad asked my why I hadn’t told my mom where I was when I called her.

My response?

“Dad, if I’d told mom that I was on a private jet with Ben Affleck right then, I’d have LOST MY SHIT, squealed like a little girl, and embarrassed all of us!”

He laughed and laughed, and of course, later related the story to Ben Affleck, who also laughed and laughed. I’m glad that after that awesome of a trip, that they’d had a laugh, even if it was at my expense.

So that’s my “Ben Affleck story.” I met him briefly again at the end of the shoot when my whole family went up to see my dad, but it wasn’t anything the same. He did make good on his word and printed two of the better photos and signed them for me, and then the photographer gave me all of the negatives. It’s hilarious to look at the first few photos, because I’m so obviously surprised and caught off guard. It’s like the ultimate deer in the headlights look.

Like I said on Tuesday, I’ve been reflecting on my life a lot lately, and recognizing just how charmed it’s been so far.This story is a prime example. I feel so fortunate with the experiences I’ve had, and so lucky that I still have so many things ahead of me.

Maybe someday I’ll run into Ben Affleck again. I highly doubt he’d remember the shy girl with braces, but it would be nice to let him know he made a huge impact on me that year!

This was one of the two photos he signed and framed for me - and also my favorite. It was in a moment where I was finally recovering from shock and actually smiled. Also? I like it because you can hardly tell I have braces. And he looks HOT. Look at that jaw line!