I have had many fun experiences, ones with unforgettable memories buried inside them. But this year? It has been a whirlwind. Between a first time mom, the demands of running my business, and then preparing for nursing school. I have barely had a room to breathe.
And I literally mean that.
If I dare to pause and breathe slowly, it feels like the weight of so many responsibilities will come crashing down. I have actually gotten to that point where every second matters to me, so if I invest my time in anything or anyone, it must be worth it. It has to be productive.
That is why having a supportive husband is a blessing, I do not take it for granted. He is not just a "husband", but a supportive one who actually shows up not the type with too much money and too little presence. Because of how stressed I had been, my husband surprised me with something unexpected: a boat ride. I had never been on one before. What made him think that gliding over water could suppress stress and increase happiness, I have no idea but whatever it was, he was right.
When he told me, I did not know what or how to feel about it. I had mixed feelings. I was not sure I would like it, considering the danger of falling into the water, but he reassured me that it would be fun and that we were not going to ride alone and especially not without a life jacket. I slowly began to warm to the idea.
I finally agreed. We arrived at the resort early enough to be among the third set, out of many other sets, to go on a ride. Before boarding we were given a life jacket to put on. You could visibly see how nervous I was while stepping into the boat. We were meant to sit on the wood, which was clearly uncomfortable. I would have opted out if my husband hadn't paid.
I noticed that the boat uses a generator and would require fuel to operate. Wow! I guess you understand how terrified I was. What if it stopped halfway? Hope they have got extra fuel just in case? Those were the questions spiraling in my mind and forcibly coming out to the boat driver in a high-pitched tone. The boat driver laughed at me and then showed me an extra keg of fuel. They teased me for being nervous, but what do I care? I was asking the right questions.
The driver started the generator and in less than five seconds, the boat took off. At first, it was slow and then the speed picked up and to my surprise, it was mad fun. The wind kissed my skin, the scent of nature filled my lungs. And for the first time in a long while, I felt relaxed. I never wanted the ride to end.
I couldn't make eye contact with the water, I was too scared because when I tried to admire it, it felt like the water was calling to me.
I was so happy to the point where hubby had to pay for another ride just for me, but this time it was a jet ski ride. It was meant to be a solo ride, but because I do not know how to operate it, the instructor took me for the ride. And wow, what a ride it was. I felt sixteen again, screaming into the wind like I wanted nature to notice me hahaha!
For those moments, I forgot I had responsibilities waiting. It only dawned on me when I got home and heard my baby crying profusely. He had missed me for just a few hours. It was a back-to-reality activation.
But something had shifted. I breathed and the boat ride was worth my time.