In the midst of all the treacherous Thanksgiving travel, people are still making special memories at Tampa International Airport.

Airports are typically sterile, chaotic places full of delays and cancellations and travelers hustling to their gates. But taking time to stop for just a moment to listen and look around, people might see something completely different.

On Wednesday, one of the busiest travel days of the year, Bay News 9 captured precious reunions, intimate moments, joy, and love. Despite all the hustle and bustle, the airport seems to be full of the holiday spirit.

Ginny Wahl truly embodied that spirit the day before Thanksgiving.

She paced, back and forth, back and forth, from one side of the gate to the other.

With a bouquet in hand, she was anxious, rocking side to side, talking to herself, waiting for her granddaughter to arrive.

A text message put a smile on her face and then she really got excited when the two finally embraced.

Ginny Wahl and her granddaughter Katie Robbins are together again.

“It’s wonderful, I’ve been looking forward to it, I haven’t seen her in so long,” said Wahl.

“Life moves so fast, it’s not often we get to spend time together so it’s very special for us,” said Robbins.

The holiday seems to slow down time giving families a chance to reconnect.

“Recently there’s been a lot of things going on in my life that remind me of how important it is to keep people close that you know love you and care about you,” said Robbins.

Appreciating life’s simple joys like the flower bouquet Ginny hands to Katie every time she gets off the plane for another visit.

“Yep every time,” said Robbins.

It’s a time to reminisce, a time to make new memories, it’s a time for families to take a step back, slow down, and take it all in.