Tug!

This week Brielle and I crossed off another hard 2024 goal that we crushed together!

I was a beaming proud Momma as I watched the determination on Brielle's huge smiling face every time we circled the boat back around to her in the water.

Not once did she talk about giving up. Not once did she question if she'd really be able to do it. I encouraged her from the boat, to take a deep breath to relax for a minute -- she wasn't listening to that. She knew the sun was setting fast and she wanted to get up on that surfboard.

She yelled "Tug!!" from the water so the driver knew when she was ready to go. So many times she'd come close, but there's a lot to remember and get right before you're surfing on top of the waves. Each time we circled back to her, she'd listen intently to the pros in the boat, then she'd course correct and yell "Tug!" to try again.

She wouldn't have listened if I had suggested it, but someone else she loves and respects told her to come into the boat to let her muscles relax. Then she could try again later.

That meant I was up.

I had promised to do this with Brielle, so there was no turning back. It was time for me to jump into the water and give this wake surfing a try. I tried one other time 4 years ago. I was able to get up then for a short run.

My first attempted run this week did not look pretty. I had to let go of the rope within seconds. I felt an immediate cramping in my leg and I somehow swallowed a bunch of water making it hard to catch my breath. Running through my mind were all sorts of thoughts: What was I thinking when I agreed to this? Will I injure myself? Can my body handle this? Is there any way I'll be able to master this?

Then I saw and heard Brielle on the boat, "You've got this Mommy! You can do this!"

Yes. Yes I WILL, baby girl. You keep watching me.

A few more tries and coaching from the boat and I was skimming across the top of the water. My eyes and smile on Brielle as she watched me. I wasn't graceful, but I did it.

Before long, Brielle jumped back into the water to try again. The sun was setting fast, so Brielle knew she would have just 2 more tries before we'd have to dock it for the evening. It was that very last time that she yelled "Tug" where she got up and surfed her way over the waves for almost a minute. Her face was beaming with the confidence that she knew she had in her all along.

We are so very grateful for the opportunity to do this with some of the most amazing people. And, a few weeks ago Brielle got to surf with our friends too -- that time she shared the board with our friend, so she was able to gain a lot of experience to know how to try herself this week.

Is there something hard you've been wanting to crush?

Maybe this week is your week to keep yelling "Tug!!" until you're beaming with pride that you've tackled it.

I'd love to hear in the comments what you're "tugging" for, so I can cheer you on from the boat.