Confession: I walked across hot coals for my love

Fifteen years ago, on our honeymoon, I walked across hot coals for my new husband. Well, it was more like hot cement than it was hot coals. And, if memory serves me right, he told me to put shoes on. Tomorrow is our 15 year wedding anniversary, and the following story is one that still makes me laugh each time we tell it, so here goes.

We went to Jamaica on our honeymoon in June, and the weather was HOT. One day we decided to check out a pool with a swim-up bar and water slide. I can’t remember why I didn’t have shoes on, but I must have decided to leave them in the room?

Anyway, we took off on a walk across the grassy lawn. I had a big floppy hat on, cute little sundress over my swimsuit, and my camera in my hand. Our plan was to get to the pool, find a couple chairs, and enjoy a quiet cocktail in the mid-day heat. I should also point out that we stayed in a quiet, couples-only retreat where noise and chaos ceased to exist.

As I approached the hot cement surrounding the pool, I expected it to be warm, even hot. The first couple steps were fine, until the true temperature registered with my central nervous system. By this time, it was equal distance to the pool or back to the cool grass. I decided to head toward the pool. I picked up the pace, but I knew I my feet were burning and I wasn’t going to make it. I took off running, and by the time I reached the water’s edge I was going too fast for the slippery pool. I fell into the water in a BIG kind of way. There was nothing graceful about the way I slipped and fell sideways into the pool, clothes and all.

I don’t know who was more surprised, me or the man sleeping on a floater in the pool. I woke him up, nearly flipped him, and filled his cocktail with pool water. It was like a comedy scene out of a movie. When I came up for air, I was soaking wet and my camera was dripping with water. But where was my hat? On its way down the water slide, of course! And where was my husband? Laughing. I don’t remember it being very funny then, but gosh I am glad it brings me such joy to tell that story now; 15 years later.

Happy Anniversary Steve!