I am not saying that you are making this up, but what you are explaining is physically impossible.
That was my thinking also.
Back in the mid seventies someone caught on film a meteor that "skipped" off of the earths atmosphere.
It actually got close enough to start to burn but never fell to earth given its trajectory. Like I said, it was caught on film. I have seen this film as it has been on TV shows.
So YES it is possible for a large object to come close to earth but not get drawn in by it's gravity and the speed and movement of this object pretty much ruled out its being a plane or satellite.
Why do you think it would be impossible for this to happen?
Don't forget that "OTHERS" saw it too, my wife being one of them.