I just saw a fin...

...as in a dol(phin)?!?!? Mom, don't freak out, but I saw a dolphin today. And it was about 8 feet away from me. So...holy cow! Of course, I completely panicked and pulled all of my body parts out of the water and on to the surfboard. It "poofed" beside me, then went on to play with Nate. They were catching the same waves. I got to see how big it was when it jumped over a wave. It was definitely playing and having fun, but I was still a little nervous! Ok, ok, fine. I was freaking out!


This is the 2nd time I've seen a dolphin whilst on a surfboard. I also saw a few while kayaking with Casey. Having grown up in the midwest and having a momma that has a pretty healthy fear of the ocean, I didn't fully swim in the ocean until this, my 30th, year. I'm still pretty nervous when I go swimming or surfing. I don't like to sit on the board, with my feet dangling, because I can't see what's below them. When I fall off, I get back on immediately. My surfing Yodas, Patten and Nate think it's funny. If I was them, I probably would too. But here's the thing: facing that fear of the unknown is the single most gratifying thing I've done and regularly do in Charleston. For years, I have watched surfing movies and thought to myself, "Yes. I WILL do that." I've wanted to do it as long as I can remember. Until I moved here, that was not really feasible. Thanks to a couple very patient souls {I'm looking at you Nate and Patten and Lo} I have gone in the water. I've surfed (well kinda. I can lie on board and catch waves!). I've loved it. Even when the surf is flat, and the water is glassy and clear, I feel so content out there. The conversation is always good. It is so relaxing. I stroll into work with a few new freckles, the smell of ocean on my skin, and a little sand between my toes. And I'm smiling. And I feel like my heart is smiling. And for me, that's the most important thing. Being in touch with nature in such a way is priceless. I am not one for the great outdoors, being that there are bugs and critters and things that go bump in the night, but being on a surfboard and seeing the clouds rolling by, the horizon out in front of me, and the warm waves rolling around me instills a sense of peace and ease that I haven't known in a very long time.

So go ahead and check that off the ole bucket list and add it to the Year of 30 list!

Peace and love,
Coleo