I met a lady the other day who went on a snorkeling tour with Woodwind Cruises in Bonaire when she couldn’t swim. Why the heck would she do such a thing? Who would want to go on an ocean, snorkeling tour when they couldn’t swim? Someone in love. This lady, a beautiful, young, vibrant woman, was in love with a handsome, but older, man who obviously adored her. They kissed and caressed each other on the sailboat like two teenagers. (Not in an annoying, “stop it” way, but in a jealous, romantic, playful way that all woman desire.) When I asked her if she was excited to snorkel, she said, “I’m nervous because I can’t swim very well.” I immediately judged, like others who judge me for traveling or not traveling with a toddler, and wondered what the heck she was doing on the boat. She continued, “My partner loves to be in the ocean and always wanted to visit Bonaire. It was time I did it to see his precious smile and bring him joy.” I almost started to cry and I understood why someone would go on an ocean snorkel tour when they can’t swim. Love changes us and makes us powerful, courageous, and fearless.
At the first stop, of three, she tried to get in the water and panicked. She stiffened up like a child terrified of the dark and within five minutes, she was back on the boat. Her partner comforted her and continued on with his adventure. He snorkeled and gave her time to think about her experience.
I didn’t ask her about it until I got back on the boat 40 minutes later. I was off enjoying the fish, the water, and the turtles while she was shaking with fear on the boat. It’s bizarre what terrifies one and excites someone else.
When I returned, she said that she was just too scared. She couldn’t move; couldn’t 
breathe; couldn’t remember the basics like blinking. Dee, the instructor, was extremely comforting and asked her to try again. She offered her flotation devices, a wetsuit, and her hand. (From experience, I know that a hand is greater than anything else. I had deep fears of sharks while in Fiji and the guide’s hand was all that got me in the water.)
She tried again on the last snorkeling experience and loved every second of it. Although fear was always in the back of her mind, Dee guided her, encouraged her, and led her to success. She stayed in the water for the full time and was one of the last people to get back in the boat.
I felt a wave of emotions for her and cheered when she sat next to me. She had accomplished something great. She had done something few people rarely do, overcome a fear.
I asked her if she’d try again and she said, “Yes, it’s scary but I’d jump in again and again for him. We’re always jumping in for each other.” She looked at her partner and he grabbed a piece of her chicken and said, “I love you too, darling.”
It was written – love is greater than fear.
Bucket List Publications 
I missed reading about your adventures – glad to see all is well!
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Thank you so much! I am well and I’m loving the laid-back life in Bonaire. I’ve been so relaxed here that posting or replaying to comments was the last thing on my mind. Life has actually become rather hectic, making traveling not as fun as always. I truly needed this look at life. I’m glad you’re still following along.
How are you? How are things? It’s the weekend; I hope it’s everything you hope for. 🙂
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Yes, life is good, busy but good. Hubby had surgery last month to remove cancer from his small intestines and is doing well in his recovery. Our youngest is graduating from High School in two weeks and I am still commuting 3 hours a day back and forth to work. I am so happy for you and want to that you for giving me my first blog “like” over two years ago! Have a blessed weekend!!!
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I totally get it. I can’t swim and am terrified of the water. But I love being in the ocean and even tried snorkeling once. My little guide boy was very kind and patient with me. I would have hated to miss seeing everything. I’m still very afraid but less so than I used to be.
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I understand! I was the same way for years. I was so afraid of what was under the water that I couldn’t enjoy the experience. Thankfully, I kept trying and trying until I was comfortable., It’s such a beautiful, new world under the sea that it’s worth the scary beginnings. I hope you try snorkeling again and you get more comfortable each time.
What is one of your other biggest fears? I feel a new fear every day with my daughter. It is all so amazing and overwhelming at the same time being a mother. Insane. 🙂
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Being a mom and a grandma, you are always afraid for them. It doesn’t get easier as they get older I’m sorry to say. But the rewards are so worth a little worry.
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This was an inspiring read, thank you for sharing.
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It was an inspiring situation. We all need a little more love in our lives. She was beautiful both inside and out. 🙂
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Beautiful photos and such a wonderful story–love conquers all.
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Love conquer all …even if u can not swim, she did it for love, wow!!
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Love conquers all..!
Very romantic… 😍
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This is a wonderful story! How truly special.
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Love is greater than fear. 🙂
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What a wonderful story. I love your pictures too. I hope I can talk hubby into taking that kind of trip someday.
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You must! It is an essential part of life to see something like this 🙂 Where would you like to go most?
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I don’t know. I am thinking somewhere like Bonaire. My sister goes to Aruba and loves it. I would just like to go somewhere warm, with nice beaches and beautiful sunsets. Though I admit sunsets can be beautiful most anywhere.
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Love is greater than fear! 🙂
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Great trip and experience you had there Lesley. With love we can overcome a lot 🙂
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Beautiful story. I started skiing for my husband. But had to draw the line at golf 😀
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Have you tried golf? Once you get the swing of things, haha, it can be a great experience.
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Great story.
I couldn’t swim when I went snorkeling in Maui. I’m not an adventurous person (I’m the drunk friend making sure my designated driver is indeed sober) but I didn’t want to let a minor thing prevent me from having such a great experience. I used a boogie board and a waist belt. Everything was great…until the turtles got too close to me. Ha!
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Good for you! You should be proud. Do you plan on going back in the water again? You said, “I couldn’t swim”. Have you since learned?
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Thanks. I’ll get in the water at the beach, but I’m the dork with a big inner tube splashing around like I’m 5.
I “plan” on taking lessons this month.
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My husband hates water adventure and doesn’t know how to swim as well but definitely not saying No if I wanted it ’cause I belong to the sea. I’m loving him more everyday because of that. Such a loving man. ♥
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I feel like I should have been born in the sea too. It always makes life better. 🙂
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Perhaps we are mermaids on our past lives. Hihi 🙂
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Great story! Love conquers all indeed! My stories of travels and mountains started with love as well! Everything is possible when you have someone to support you in it. 😀
Hmmm! My biggest fear now is settling down…marriage and babies! This post made me think!
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As a mother and wife, I can honestly say that a family is what life is all about 🙂
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Such a sweet and compassionate adventure!
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What a beautiful story and the love they have for one another. So glad that she was able to overcome her fear. Also glad that you are getting some much needed relaxing time.
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Lovely story! Isn’t love grand. 😉
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Beautiful, right? Where are you now? Vacation?
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I’m at home… just returned from Tampa (so much more beautiful than I imagined!) and headed to S. CA next weekend, to see my son graduate from college! In June, it’s Denmark, Icleland and Norway. 🙂 Are you guys settled in yet?
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I’m not a great swimmer either but I love scuba diving and done it a fair few times. It is so different than swimming. All you have to do is kick
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Hi Lesley,
I remember a french lady in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand coming out to try scuba diving. She couldn’t swim and I asked her why she would do it and she said, “To see if it excites me.”
I’ll always remember her bright, shining eyes, as she climbed up the ladder on her return.
” Yes, it does” She said. Looking forward to the next time.
I thought that was amazing and learnt so much from her in that moment. 🙂
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I understand the story. I missed out on doing so many things when I was young because of fear. When I turned 50 I decided I was tired of it ruling me and fight my way through fear. I may never do or eat it again but I will generally try something once now.
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Pingback: Why Go on WoodWind’s Snorkel Tour When You Can’t Swim? | Not a Clue Adventures – Blog
Awesome awesome story! I am glad she got to make the new experience! I love the color of the ocean there! Thank you for sharing that wonderful love story! Hugz Lisa and Bear
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Great post Lesley !! Yes, the secret to a successful relationship, and especially for marriage, is to put your spouse’s wishes and concerns ahead of yourself…
Jesus’ second most important commandment, one step further !! (Matthew 22:36-40)
Blessings in Christ, bruce
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Ah, yes. Love! Love can do all things. What a heartwarming story–my late morning smile.
Your photographs are gorgeous. The color the the water, the colors beneath the surface. Wow.
😀
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I can so relate to this! I have a fear of being in or on water but my dear husband has always wanted to sail and has bought a yacht! So, I am learning to sail! I learned to swim, in my own depth before I was 40, now I am going to learn to sail before I am 70! Check out these posts!
http://mybeautfulthings.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/i-did-it-i-went-sailing-and-i-loved-it/
http://mybeautfulthings.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/sailing-lesson-falmouth-and-rescue/
http://mybeautfulthings.wordpress.com/2014/05/07/sailing-lesson-day-2-cormorant-and-another-rescue/
Thank you for your constant inspiration! 🙂
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A great story and lesson in how love can help to overcome fears. Thanks for sharing.
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Absolutely beautiful post; such love! Even though you write mostly about where and what you’ve seen, I can’t begin to imagine the fascinating people you’ve met along the way.
This has given me several ideas for book scenes. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that love truly does conquers all. Thank you for sharing.
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What a beautiful story, told so well. Magical. Thank you.
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Beautiful story Leslie. Not sure I could love anyone enough to go in the ocean for him, but then again, that could always change. Trying to keep an open mind to all possibilities.
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What an adorable story. Hope you have a great mum’s day
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Just started working on our own bucket list. Thanks for the inspiration! http://www.venturists.net Happy Travels!
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I was thinking to do the same..I cannot swim, but I really want to see what’s under the water 🙂
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I went on a snorkeling excursion with my husband when we cruised Hawaii. I, also, cannot swim. The guides seem to be accustomed to this sort of thing as they were ready with a floaty and when I wouldn’t let go of the boat, they produced a rope that was quickly tied between the floaty and the boat. I am so glad I did it. Seeing clear to the bottom in 25 feet of water is not something easily forgotten, especially if the bottom is covered with amazing colors.
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Great and inspiring moment :). Thanks for sharing it 🙂
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What a sweet and poignant reminder that loving the right person, brings out the best in you, even if that involves facing your fears. Wonderfully written story.
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Aww this is sweet. That was a great experience.
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