Leap of Faith

Is that trite?
What should it be called?
Jump?
We're Alive?
Sugar We're Goin' Down? (on my playlist of songs not to play on the way to the airport)

So it's all good. This is the story. Marc, Saige, Chase and Chase's brother from another mother, Ethan, and I, piled in the car and headed up state so Mommy and Daddy could throw themselves out of an airplane. You know, what else do you do on a Sunday once the weather has gotten crisp and the pool has closed? In true "us" fashion, we got lost, took the long way there. Luckily, it's kind of a laid back thing. We got there. Signed and initialed our lives away (truthfully, did not read one line of the fine print- the risks seemed obvious, no need to beat a dead horse). Then we watched a 4 1/2 minute video from the early 80's. I'm being honest. It was basically pointless. Once again, whatever. After that wealth of information with the Hare Krishna looking guy we just went and stood outside. And waited. And waited. And waited. They were running a little behind because the weather hadn't been great in the morning.

A lot of that time was spent with Chase and Ethan chasing eaching other around and Marc playing block breaker. I was listening to everyone talk. Like a stalker would. I wanted to hear all the people say how much they loved it. I was fine. Even when the kids asked me if I was scared, I said, "No." I wasn't. I was past that at that point. I mean Christ, we were here. It's pretty much a done deal. To back out now would be beyond lame. I could never do that to my kids. They were so proud of us. Really. I thought they might be a little apprehensive, but not in the least. They were psyched.
So finally it was time to suit up. Marc got his harness on first with all the obligatory snide comments of the guy whose lap he would be sitting on. Guy stuff. Whatever. Let's get this show on the road.

Then it was time. We got in this little plane, with no seats and no pretty girl to bring us drinks. We sat on the floor. My guy, Dave, and Marc's guy joked with each other. Dave has jumped 1600 times. I feel a little better. I'm feeling a bit anxious though, because, basically friends, there's only one way down. I'm trying to just breathe. My videographer girl was sitting on the opposite end of the plane and she kept smiling at me and asking me how I was doing, "Scared." That's it. But I just put it out of my head because this was happening, the choice was over, might as well accept it. So we get to the edge at the open door, I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean into Dave as we backflip out of the plane. We spent the free fall time looking at the videographer, smiling, giving the thumbs up. It was worth the hundred bucks just to have that to focus on. I will say, in complete honesty, it was hands down, the coolest thing I have ever done. It felt amazing. After the free fall Dave pulls the chute. The videographer flies away on her own and me and my new best friend float down. He points out lakes and quarries and Philadelphia. The whole thing was completely surreal. He tried to get me to fly. I did for a minute and then told him I wanted him to do all the work. :)

That's Marc with the red white and blue chute and Me, with the red, yellow and grey one.
We floated to the ground. It was amazing. Do it. I'll go with you (or Marc, he'll definitely go with you!)

And Mom, I'm calling you tomorrow. I've been avoiding it cause I thought you would be scared for me. I miss you.