MarriedPeople Couples

I  want you to hear from someone very dear to me. She’s my first cousin, but we have, depending on the day, more of an uncle/niece or brother/sister type of relationship. But this isn’t nepotism; I have many family members you will never hear from. Payden and Lane have only been married 3 years, but they have taught me a lot. TED

Phobophobia – the fear of being afraid.   I have a fear of being afraid. Heights aren’t for me.  The thought of injury, cuts, scrapes or even just getting alittle too sweaty makes me uncomfortable.   However in the past six months, I have climbed a wall covered in mud, jumped in some bacteria infested water, zip lined through a rainforest, hurdled over burning coals and climbed a 600 foot waterfall.  Why?  Because I married a thrill seeker, danger enthusiast blonde.  His name is Lane.

I am not sure if Lane enjoys watching me squirm but somehow he manages to get me to try my unthinkable.  Just recently we went to Jamaica during Thanksgiving (skipping Thanksgiving is a whole other story).  Typically on vacations, we just lie around and relax but something was different in Jamaica.  The hotel tour desk told us about a zip lining adventure through the rainforest.  I immediately shouted “oh no!” and looked for the Spa.  Lane was enthralled, so we decided to think about it.  Translation:  Lane trying to convince me that it was fine and I would love it.  Me, trying to tell him that he should find someone else at the resort to go with him.  Surely there are other dudes that would like to do this while I get a mani-pedi.  I also tried to explain the implications of getting injured overseas with insurance, etc.  He didn’t budge.  The next morning, we booked the excursion.

After a sketchy cab ride, I got suited up in my harness and paid incredibly close attention to the safety briefing.  I let the guide know that if I didn’t make it out alive that I would like to be buried someplace nice, with a view and in a cute outfit.  No, seriously I did.  In my head, that was a real possibility.

We went through the first couple of zip lines and my legs were shaking just like in the cartoons.  Somewhere between the third and fourth zip line, I opened my eyes, caught my breath and realized how much fun I was having.  Yep I was having fun.  Towards the end, Lane had already started with the “I told you sos.”  He was right – out of my comfort zone – lies some fun and risk.

That is one of the things that I love about being married to someone who has no fear.  God made him that way.  Most of the time it makes me squirm but he doesn’t let fear hold him back.  The thing I love the most about doing “dangerous” things together with him is the delicacy in which he treats me in my moment of complete fear.  He says, “You’re so small.”  “Give me a kiss.” “You don’t look scared, you look cute.”  “It is so hard to be you.” “Thanks for coming with me.”  “You’re so brave.” “Maverick (our dog) has a brave mommy.”  I genuinely want to be with him no matter what it is we are doing.

Gals, go with you man somewhere you wouldn’t typically go. Let him lead you and just see if I’m right.  Looking back at pictures, I can’t believe I agree to do some of these things with him.  But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.  In the moment, scared silly.  Afterwards, so proud I’m the gal right beside him.  Next trip, I am picking the activity.  Mark my word.

Sincerely,

Phobophobic Payden

Ladies- what is something fun your husband would like for you to try? (Other than that)