A Couple That Plays Together...

Stays Together.
That is a tidbit of knowledge that was shared with Chad and I during our pre-marriage and young couple's counseling. Chad has learned to love my passions. The one that stands out the most, we take "field trips" not just vacations. Most men would huff and puff but he has embraced my nutty passion. His one passion that I had yet a chance to try was skiing. Simple enough, right? NOPE! Not when I have been pregnant or nursing every winter of our married life. I was bound and determined to learn. The freedom of having the wind at your face gliding down and mountain with my Chad next to me sounded enticing.

Around June of this year Chad contacted his dad to see if there were any condos out west available for this winter. This was just the first step. His dad did get a condo for us in Beaver Creek, CO. That is when the ball started rolling. By early November I had my own pair of ski boots, bibs, coat, mask, ear muffler, mask and bag to carry it all. Knowing I HAD to ski while in Colorado was exciting and nerve wracking! My solution? Look on-line for a local "mountain" out here in Ohio were I could learn BEFORE Colorado. Success. There was a local "mountain" that had private lessons and outstanding Military discounts.

January 2nd was the next step. Chad found us a babysitter that was willing to watch the girls ALL DAY! We loaded the truck, drove the 45 minutes. The entire time my heart was pounding. Was I really going to FINALLY learn to ski? Was I going to like it? Would it be absolutely painful and miserable in the cold?

I won't go into details, but husbands SHOULD NOT teach their wives to ski. Period. I actually WALKED down the slope about half way and cried. The highlight? I have an amazing husband that will not let me quit! He got me a private lesson with a great gentleman who figured me out quickly and encouraged me with REVERSE psychology and used words that made tons of sense. Chad watched parts of the lesson in between runs down the "mountain" and was there at the end to see me do the BUNNY slope by myself.

After some lunch and a pep-talk from Chad, I went down the bunny slope several times with Chad next to me, smiling, encouraging and coaching me on what I was doing right. WHAT A MAN!

Yes, I have to admit it was hard, I did cry, I wanted to quit, but it was fun doing what my hubby loves and have now been bitten by the ski bug. The anticipation of learning more out in Colorado and having a personal goal of being able to do ONE beginner's slope by the end of the trip has me giddy.
Lesson learned and proven true. A couple that plays together does stay together. Building each other up and not letting each other quit.

So the bunny slope is not too impressive to most, but for a person who likes to be in control, has random fears that are ridiculous to most, I have concord another fear. Bunny slopes in Colorado, HEAR ME ROAR! ;o)