Well, I did it. I took the biggest leap of faith you could ever imagine; jumping out of an airplane. Let me tell you, it was incredible and it certainly will not be the last time. You can just call me fly girl 🙂

It’s been on my bucket list forever. Not anymore baby! On Saturday I left Charleston early and began my drive to West Palm Beach. About halfway through the drive and 5 pee stops later from the nerves, I found my halfway destination in DeLand, FL at Sky Dive DeLand. Initially I figured that the place was going to be deserted and difficult to find. Wrong. The parking lot was jam packed and the little airport was bustling with activity. Skydiving is more than just a thrill, it is a bad-ass way of life.

My friends from Charleston, Dan and Elli, had gone a few months earlier and raved about the experience. So in turn, I got excited. Their friend Bob has been in the business for quite some time and Dan kept telling me that I had to do it. Well what better time than right before my final surgery?

Sweaty palms and feeling like I had to pee for the 50th time, I walked into the office. Clearly they were expecting me because a girl walked right up to be, handed me the paperwork and had me watch an instructional video that also outlined all the risks; a little scary, but there was no turning back. As the video ended the man of the hour, my company for the big jump, Bob, came over and sat next to me. After talking to him for less than a minute I felt so comfortable and my fear turned to sheer excitement. He had two jumps prior to ours so I could hangout and watch. Just seeing them floating back to the ground with their parachutes was magical. When I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better, I was wrong.

Between one of his jumps Bob came back over to inform me that not only had Dan and Elli encouraged me to take my leap of faith, they gifted it to me. I was speechless then and I still am now. Words cannot possibly describe the gratitude that I feel. Seriously without words to the point of tears. Hands down the most phenomenal gift I have ever received.

Before long it was time to suit up into my sweet turquoise spandex jumpsuit; rock on. Even at that point I wasn’t nervous. The adrenaline was rushing through my body but it was more on the excitement level than anything else. The harness was super flattering.

My tandem buddy, Bob.

 Next thing I know, I am dangling from the harness as Bob drags me to the door of the plane. Honestly, I wish I had an actual picture of that moment because I’m sure it would be worth 1,000 words. Right before we jumped I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. 1.. 2.. 3.. and we did a back flip out of the plane.

Even though we were traveling over 100mph, it felt like we were floating. During the descent down to earth I had no thought process. For the first time in a very long time my mind was no longer racing. Truly incredible. The view was incredible.

Once back on the ground it took me a bit to find my land legs. Even though the entire jump only lasted a few minutes, it changed my life. So many things have been put into perspective and I feel changed. That is really the only way I can put it. You need to do it to understand.

One thing I can tell you is that this girl will be in the sky again soon. Fly girl. FLY.

Love.