Whats our name all about?

My grandmother Jayne

We get asked all the time where the name Aviator Jayne came from. What does Aviation have to do with home goods? Who the heck is Jayne? Seriously, I can’t tell you how many people have come into our shop thinking we sold plane parts.

 So here’s the story…

When we started talking about and planning out this dream of a “home, family and community building” store, we wanted a name that nodded to the homes and families that brought us up. A name that honored those who raised us and made home our favorite place to be.

 My dad, along with my husband’s dad, are both pilots. They are to this day and have been our whole lives. In fact, they both still fly out of the same airport in Saginaw. Long before Nick and I were together, our dads both knew of each other. For years, they’d pass each other at the airport on their way to different parts of the country not knowing they’d become in-laws sharing family dinners and grandchildren someday.

 We grew up around airplanes and in airports. Nick’s parents even ran the Owosso airport for years. Nick, his brother Ben and sister Alex did a lot of life in the FBO (fixed-based operator) growing up. They’d do their homework there, get to know travelers, help plow the runways in the winter and watch their parents balance the huge task of running a business while raising a family.

 My dad flew for a company in Akron, Ohio when I was a kid. I remember coming home from elementary school a few times and my mom would have our bags packed and the car running. She was missing my dad who had to fly to another state for a few days. So, she’d load all four of her small kids in the mini van and we’d go be with him even if just for 24 hours.

We’d drop off dad for trips, and excitedly pick dad up from trips. Planes stir up a sentimental feeling in us. The sound of a jet engine and the smell of fuel still reminds us of dad.

Airplanes remind us of a life of adventure, too. They remind us of traveling somewhere new, learning about different cultures, and not being afraid of change. They remind us to take a leap of faith. Its certainly a (scary) leap of faith to start a business or to start a family or both. For some, it might be an adventure to, on a whim, pile four small kids in a van and drive states away just to be with someone they love for a day. Airplanes tend to give us a little adventure in our lives. We’re grateful for what those adventures did in our families and perspectives growing up.

So who’s Jayne?

 Jayne is a family name on both sides of our family. Jayne was my grandma. My red-headed, green eyed, toothy, and lovely grandma. She was my dad’s mom. She died before her grandkids came along so we never had the chance to meet her. But the stories I hear of her make my heart ache for this woman I never got to meet. She was funny, and hugged a lot, and had an endearing nickname for everyone and everything (much like my dad does to this day…). The way her four children speak of her these many years later shows me she was very special, warm, and hospitable in every way.

 “Jayne” then became my cousin Rachel’s middle name. Rachel Jayne is the sister I never had. The friend I will always have. The girl that made my childhood downright magical and my adult life the sweetest knowing she’s a part of me always.

Marsha Jane is Nick’s mom, and my wonderfully feisty mother in law. Marsha is soft and strong at the very same time. A woman who can unapologetically speak her mind and will always bend over backwards for those she loves. Marsha is also brilliant at all things involving building, renovating, and anything involving power-tools. She’s also a brilliant home maker and mother. In other words, she’s brilliant at all the things I want to to be brilliant at.

The name “Aviator Jayne” is our way of honoring those who taught us that family is paramount and risks are worth taking. They taught us that loving deeply is risky, and risk taking is at times in the best interest of those you love deeply. They showed us that people are the best adventure. Sometimes its a scary one that requires us to abandon our comfort zone, but when it comes to our families, friends and simply letting people in on your life, there is no more fulfilling and worthy adventure to take.

So from now on, when you see our logo, come to the shop or see the name Aviator Jayne, let it remind you to reach out to a loved one. Invite friends over for dinner. Ask a new co-worker to coffee. Drive a long, inconvenient distance to be with someone you love for a day. Do something uncomfortable and adventurous for the sake of making someone else feel wanted and loved.

Thanks for reading today. Keep an eye out for more family and home inspiration next week!

With love,

Mandy