Right after I had graduated from college, my girlfriend, Linda, wanted me to prove I could get a real job outside diving. I interviewed for a sales manager position. The base salary (back when they had base salaries) was $75,000 annually. I got the job. Four days later, I was driving to work in my Geo Tracker with the top up and the A/C on, so that my hair wouldn't get messed up and ruin the whole suit and tie look. A guy passed me with the top off his Jeep, wearing a mala bead (or whatever you called the beads we wore in those days) necklace, hair blowing in the wind. That had been me just four long days ago!
When I returned home, I phoned an advertiser in Skin Diver Magazine from St. Lucia. Dolittle's Resort (from the Rex Harrison film) had an $895 all-inclusive 5 dives per day package (AM, PM, nightly night dive) including air! I booked it and found myself in St. Lucia by the weekend. I was single again on a honeymoon island feeling the heartache of being dumped, but enjoying the diving. The manager, Cheryl, hadn't been diving in months. I convinced her to go out with us one night.
As we left the dock, one of the dive boats was mysteriously starting up on it's own as if haunted. Three times this happened until the captain pulled the battery. Once underway, Cheryl and I buddied up for an incredible night drift dive. Lots of marine life, great visibility, gorgeous underwater pinnacles. We ended up far, far away from the boat. While waiting to be picked up, we floated under the prettiest Caribbean starlit sky and big full moon, talking about life, the universe, and everything. The conversation became more deep and intimate (that's how far away from the boat we were!), and we began connecting in that way you just know something could spark. At one point, she had that surrendering look in her eyes, where I could maybe have kissed her. I hesitated. I didn't know where I was emotionally. I still loved my ex. I might even be able to get her back. I was super attracted to Cheryl. Being there with her, in that moment, felt like the most romantic place on earth. How would I deal with falling for a woman thousands of miles away? Hell, did she even want me to kiss her? Was my radar off? Before I got my head sorted, the sound of the boat's engines broke the spell.
I have regretted not leaning in and risking that kiss for the past 24 years.
When I returned home, I phoned an advertiser in Skin Diver Magazine from St. Lucia. Dolittle's Resort (from the Rex Harrison film) had an $895 all-inclusive 5 dives per day package (AM, PM, nightly night dive) including air! I booked it and found myself in St. Lucia by the weekend. I was single again on a honeymoon island feeling the heartache of being dumped, but enjoying the diving. The manager, Cheryl, hadn't been diving in months. I convinced her to go out with us one night.
As we left the dock, one of the dive boats was mysteriously starting up on it's own as if haunted. Three times this happened until the captain pulled the battery. Once underway, Cheryl and I buddied up for an incredible night drift dive. Lots of marine life, great visibility, gorgeous underwater pinnacles. We ended up far, far away from the boat. While waiting to be picked up, we floated under the prettiest Caribbean starlit sky and big full moon, talking about life, the universe, and everything. The conversation became more deep and intimate (that's how far away from the boat we were!), and we began connecting in that way you just know something could spark. At one point, she had that surrendering look in her eyes, where I could maybe have kissed her. I hesitated. I didn't know where I was emotionally. I still loved my ex. I might even be able to get her back. I was super attracted to Cheryl. Being there with her, in that moment, felt like the most romantic place on earth. How would I deal with falling for a woman thousands of miles away? Hell, did she even want me to kiss her? Was my radar off? Before I got my head sorted, the sound of the boat's engines broke the spell.
I have regretted not leaning in and risking that kiss for the past 24 years.