Tomorrow is a VERY special day.

Tomorrow is a very special day for me. For everyone else, it is just July 16 (and Kevin Brackens' birthday). But for me, it is the one year anniversary of a day that changed my life.

This time last year, Kristina and I were on vacation in the Cayman Islands. Even though my father told me that if we went to Grand Cayman I absolutely needed to dive, I was determined to do nothing but "sit on the beach and read"

As much as I wanted to do that (and I did) every time I walked past toward the beach, the Red Sail Sports that was in the hotel kept kinda calling me and before I knew it I had signed up for my DSD.

I was nervous to do this on my own - Kris and I had done everything together pretty much for the last two years and this would be the first adventure that I was going to be doing on my own. I remember signing in at the front counter and hearing this British dude talking and he made some sort of sarcastic remark to the other person there - and after laughing, the woman checking me in said "oh, that's your instructor" -- and that is how I met Nick.

A funny, sarcastic, but yet serious Brit who took me underwater for the first time. The pool was fine - I was super comfortable - and it wasn't until later in the afternoon when I did my first giant stride into the beautiful water that I truly felt complete peace and happiness.

That first dive was amazing. We swam around and enjoyed all that the GC diving has to offer. I remember at the end of the dive, Nick took me and the other girl I was with and first he did a somersault and then we each did one. It is because of that somersault that you will always find me doing somersaults in each dive - to remind me of how one small thing can change someone. For me, it was that along with the peace and happiness that I found with that dive. I loved it so much I went back for more the next day. :)

And ever since then I have done as much as I can to be underwater as much as possible. That week changed me for the better - it made me learn to take a step back and enjoy myself. Diving has shown me so much and taught me so much about myself and my life. I have never felt the peace and serenity that I find when I dive and I wish and want to share it with those around me.

Diving has opened a door to new friendships and travel that I otherwise wouldn't have. It has shown me love and some pain. Yes, it has caused heartache, but I wouldn't take back the time that I spent with Donny, nor would I take back the love that I had and always will have for him.

Diving has taught me so much about myself and the people that I surround myself with. I loved the experience that I had with the Best Dive Job and the support that was shown on my behalf from friends and family meant more to me than I ever could explain. Ironically enough, the winners of the BDJ are heading to Bali now and even though there is a side of me that wishes it was me, I know that it is okay that I am not packing up to leave. I wish I could spend seven months (or four) in Bali, I am happy with how my diving has progressed and I am so lucky to be associated with such a great dive shop here in DC.

I think back to how nervous I was this time last year - I had no idea what was ahead of me and how I would change just from that first breath underwater.

So to celebrate, tomorrow night, Martin and I are going to do some night diving in Millbrook. Even though it isn't Grand Cayman, it will still be wonderful for me to be able to celebrate the one year anniversary of the day that changed my life.

:)

A Year's Worth Of Diving:
July 16 - My first dive - Grand Cayman
9/18 - OW Certification
9/24 - Catalina
10/2 - AOW Certification (and my first cert with Mark P)
10/9 - OBX Diving
10/16 - Nitrox Certification
11/6 - San Juan PR Diving
11/31 - Catalina
3/24- Key Largo
5/30 - DIVE #40!
6/10 - Rescue Diver Certification
7/10 - Morehead City and Dive #50
7/16 - One Year Anniversary

Dives to date: 53
Minutes underwater: 1550
Minutes of happiness: 1550