Video Link

I'm finally able to share my skydiving video with you!! Check it out here & enjoy {I know I did!}.

P.S. I forgot to mention in my skydiving recap how high up you jump from! Your jump altitude is 13,500 feet {2.5 mile!!}

One of those moments…

…that is funny, but quickly forgot over a matter of time. And that’s exactly why I started this blog, so I won’t forget the moments that once brought a smile to my face!

I glanced at my phone the other day to realize I had a text from Chrissy, it read: Kenny took his first steps toward marriage today. Ummm, what? I immediately called her wondering what she knew that I didn’t. LOL.

On Wednesday Chrissy & Mark had to go get their marriage license {they’re getting married in ONE week!} and when they got there they realized they needed a witness. Luckily Kenny didn’t have work and was able to be their witness.

Brief conversation between Chrissy & Kenny:
C: You should be taking notes for when you finally ask Jen to marry you.
K: Who are you kidding, Jen already has these papers ready & waiting at home.

Haha. I’m not THAT bad!

Can't.stop.talking.about.it...

...now it’s finally time to put it in writing! Last Sunday, the 26th – we went skydiving for the first time! Its something I’ve always wanted to do so when Chrissy called & asked me to set it up for Mark’s birthday...I called Dad immediately to see if he wanted to join. Although he was a little hesitant, he ultimately decided to go. I’d be lying if I said he didn’t try to chicken out on me though!

Once our reservation was officially made is when the first wave of nerves washed over me. I couldn’t help but wonder what I was getting myself into. Leading up to the day I had myself so busy planning for first official event {details coming!} that I didn’t have much of a chance to syke myself out, thankfully.

The 26th came {Mark’s birthday!} and we all met at our house to drive down together. We {me, Dad, Mark, Jessica, & Paul} all piled in the car. We laughed & joked the whole ride there. Upon arrival, I could feel a slight knot in the pit of my stomach, but the others kept me well distracted.

Upon arrival, they take your name and shortly after you’re shuffled into the training room where you watch an old school video about your upcoming skydive and the risk it involves. Yeah, I know they need to make sure you’re aware of the potential danger involved with skydiving {seriously, if people don’t realize this they shouldn’t be doing it!}, but seriously?! NOT the best time to be reminded what you’re about to do could potentially result in death! Okay, moving on.

Next step in the process is signing page after page of legal mumbo jumbo ({literally signing your life away} stating you understand the risk associated with skydiving, your family will not sue if something happens, and yada yada yada. You’re asked to bring your paperwork & identification {ha!} to the window where you’re then given the option to have some video your first skydive. {Let me just say – this is an absolute must!}

After signing in you’re basically left to wait until called – there is where the nerves start swirling. Luckily it wasn’t long before we heard our names. Unfortunately they had to split us into two groups – between the 5 of us, 5 instructors, & 5 video people...it was too much for one plane : /

Dad & I were up first! Eeeck. They led us back into a prep area with two other people {I don’t think they spoke much English b/c they just looked at me when I tried to make small talk – unlucky for them}. We were only in the area a short time before a guy came up to me “Jen? Hey I’m Ralph – we’re going to be skydiving together!” Enthusiastic as can be. My first impression? Great, I got the little guy. Seriously, he’s maybe 5’3”?! Okay, whatever – he strapped me in my harness & left me to our “lesson” while he geared himself up. I was always under the impression you had to sit thru a pretty extensive course before you skydive. Boy was I wrong! Our instruction lasted maybe 10 minutes?

*Deep breath*

Just a few minutes later we were led to the loading area where we met up with our camera crew & chatted for a bit. I took this opportunity learn about Ralph just a bit – he’s jumped nearly 1,900 times& his goal is to make it to 2,000 this season! We made small talk while we waited for the plane...here comes this rather small purple plane named the Otter that I was about to jump out of! At this point, you’d think I’d be freaking out – but honestly? I was only slightly nervous, but super excited.

Before long my instructor was leading me to the plane...Dad following. Once you climb into this super small plane crammed with people, the reality starts to sink in at least for Dad it did. Ralph was busy buckling my seatbelt to his {yes, you wear a seatbelt in a plane you’re about to jump out of!} when I happened to know Dad had broken into a sweat and wasn’t looking too hot. I asked him if he was okay and his only response?? NO!! Slight panic sunk it, but before I knew it the camera dudes were distracting him and completely took his mind off things – mine too!

The rest of the experience happened so fast that it’s almost impossible to describe in detail. Without the dvd {that I’ve watched a 1,000 times!}, I wouldn’t be able to fully comprehend what I experienced. Dad was up first! I hardly had a chance to see him jump before Ralph was guiding me to the door – chin up, arms crossed, GO!

Oh.my.god. Words can not even begin to describe the freefall. 130mph for nearly sixty seconds in simply incredible!

You’re given an altimeter to know when you get to 5,000 feet – which is when you’re supposed to pull your rip cord. Ummm, several times I’m seen looking at mine, Ralph shows me his, do I even make an attempt to pull the cord?! Nope – it’s all Ralph!

{see?? And don't knock my face - what to you expect my face to look at traveling 130 mph?!}

Almost immediately you go from 130 mph down to nearly 30 mph. Abrupt? It would seem so, but you hardly feel it. I think you’re just so relieved your shoot opened that you don’t realize what just happened! The next 3-4 minutes is the more serene and peaceful time {although I wish my harness hadn’t been digging into my legs so bad that I was able to better enjoy it}. The view is absolutely breathtaking!

Time for landing! The most important part? Keeping your legs lifted & your toes pointed as to not break an ankle. We landed with ease and I was so thankful to be on the ground. The look on my face makes me wonder what the hell I just did! Jessica’s first reaction “That’s the coolest thing I’m never doing again!” {although I got a text message the very next day saying she’s already dying to go again!} I couldn’t quite process everything I had just done, until I watched my video. Talk about SENSORY OVERLOAD! I’m so thankful for an incredible instructor, an awesome camera dude, and a GREAT experience. It is something I will truly never forget!

Will I ever do it again? YOU BETCHA! In fact, we’re already planning to go again on August 16th!

Video coming soon...