After surviving the Hudson River landing of Flight 1549, a young couple fell in love—and they spend every day celebrating their lives.
On January 15th, 2009, a flight took off from New York City’s LaGuardia airport—but it didn’t get very far. As you probably know by now, a flock of geese jammed up the plane’s engines, stalling it in mid-air. The plane seemed destined for a fatal crash, but the pilot, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger kept a cool head and steered the aircraft down for a smooth landing in the Hudson River. Everyone on board survived the crash.
Minutes later, the passengers and crew were loaded onto rescue boats, leaving the sinking plane behind. Ben Bostic was on one boat; Laura Zych was on board another. Though Bostic had noticed Zych before they’d boarded the fateful flight, he never spoke with her that day, too rattled by their mutual near-death experience.
But months later, the survivors of Flight 1549 reunited to share their story on 60 Minutes, and many became friends. Then, in July, one of the passengers arranged another get-together at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bostic and Zych were both in attendance, and Zych, who lived in the area, offered to let Bostic spend the night on her couch. Instead, they ended up talking until 6 in the morning. They’ve been a couple ever since.
Having come so close to death, the happy couple never takes their luck for granted. Every evening, they dance together to their favorite songs. “We do that as part of our decompressing and loving life,” Zych told New York Magazine. “Just so that your day ends on a good note.”
Next month, the couple plans to attend yet another reunion for Flight 1549 passengers and crew, this time in New York City. Though all of the survivors agree that the experience was traumatic, their meetings are always joyous occasions. “Even the first time you meet someone from that flight, it’s like you’re instantly bonded,” said Zych. “You can’t be around this group of people and not feel good.”