My Action Movie Moment

The second day of our cruise last week found us dropping anchor just off the coast of CoCoCay, home of my happy place. The four of us, being just about the first passengers to set foot on the island, quickly claimed two hammocks in the perfect spot. However, Scott and Ryan decided to look around just to make sure we indeed had the best spot. Ten minutes later, as Missy and I were settling in for some good book readin’ and hammock swingin’, the boys came back and told us that they had just signed us up to go parasailing in 30 minutes! What a surprise! They had been planning this for weeks! I was shocked that Scott had kept it a secret and so over the moon excited! I am not a daring person. I have no interest in bungee jumping, water skiing or anything else that I consider scary, but I have always said that I would love to parasail. I can’t explain why and it seems so out of character, but I just knew it was something I wanted to do. Missy felt the same way. The boys, however, did not. They didn’t sign themselves up. Just us. They did however, get to ride out with us because there was enough room on the boat. Lucky for us…unlucky for Scott!

Meet Ari and Omar.

They took very good care of us. VERY good care of us. In fact, I developed a little crush on Omar when he was helping me get dressed to go up. He was pulling the harness up my legs, stopped halfway, pulled it back down and reached for the other one. I turned and jokingly said to me friends “Great, my butt’s too big!” He got very serious and in his thick beautiful Jamaican accent said “Big is beautiful.” I’m tellin’ ya, it took my breathe away! (And in my defense, he actually got the smaller harness!) Then, as Omar was getting Missy and I strapped in, he was paying such close attention to us and being so thoughtful and gentle that I just looked up at him and said “Will you marry me?” Without skipping a beat, he got right in my face and said “Are you sure?” I am not kidding, it was like a movie. Like the action star asking the hot girl :) “Are you sure you want to do this?” just before they jump off the top of the building or something. I blinked and replied very seriously “Yes, but my husband’s right there and I don’t think he’d be too happy with me.” So, oh well.

Anyway, back to the parasailing. It was, quite simply, one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done. We are sure some of the “younger folk” on the boat were disappointed because there was nothing thrilling or high-energy about it. I was very gently lifted off the boat and just glided up. I was so overwhelmed by the quiet, peaceful, serenity of it all that I just cried. It was amazing. Here are just a few pictures.

As Missy and I were coming down, we made the comment that we wish Scott and Ryan could experience this. Well, lo and behold, they were harnessed up and ready to go! My man Omar had talked them into going! Of course, being off the books, Omar and Ari made big fat tips on that deal! Ryan was all over it…Scott was a little nervous. But he was very glad he went!

What an adventure! Thank you Scott and Ryan for the surprise of a lifetime! Trouble is, you’ve spoiled us and we are now parasailing addicts!

One last picture of me and my new never-to-be-see-again boyfriend, Omar.

My reaction? He’s telling me he’s on Facebook. But doggone it! I didn’t get his last name! I guess I’ll be heading back to CoCoCay!