Williams Family: It's Hard to Be Fake in a Swimsuit

 

On a sandbar in The Bahamas

While attending an HOA Board meeting the other day, a friendly neighbor greeted me with, "We finally see each other in clothes."  I responded with a smile, "Shhh. . . don't tell." The exchange was humorous and telling about when we see each other which is at the pool.  And, it got me thinking about relationships from and formed at pools, lakes, beaches; any location while wearing a swimsuit. 

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Wave Pool

I have lived a significant part of my life in a swimsuit. Lake Wapello visits as a young child, YWCA and YMCA swim lessons, summers hanging out at the municipal swimming pool, high school Shark Club (synchronized swimming), college pool and lake days, and summer camp counselor supervisor assigned to the pool. My first apartment had a community pool and when I moved from there, I spent summer days at the local pool.  Our son grew up going to pools, beaches, and waterparks both locally and as a traveler. When the pandemic hit, an inflatable pool in the backyard was my go-to and now we have a beautiful community pool that is "ours" and often, mine, as the only visitor.  And, ocean beaches a short drive away.  

Tubing the Martha Brae River in Jamaica 

I was told once that I look confident in a bathing suit.  Agree.  I have a relationship with myself that allows me to be confident in a swimsuit. I have witnessed others sit on the sidelines viewing the watery fun from a distance for varying reasons: fear of water, uncomfortable in a swimsuit, etc. And while I have been many shapes and sizes over the last half-century and more, there has not been hesitation to put on a swimsuit and enjoy.  I want others to feel the same!

AquaDuck, Disney Fantasy

It has been fun to meet other residents in our community pool.  We obviously have something in common--the enjoyment of our pool--and upon conversation, we typically find more in common.  With a single layer of clothing, typically no make-up, little or no jewelry, and usually a head covering, it is difficult to put on airs or be less than authentic when meeting new people at the pool.  It's hard to be fake in a swimsuit. . . and easy to get to know the real person. 

A lazy river at a Disney waterpark 

A "Lucky" Relationship

I had an “ah ha” moment about the husband and I’s relationship after attending a family friendly gathering a few days ago where people were sharing vacation and retirement stories.  A wise person mentioned that I was lucky that the husband wanted to go on all of our vacations and that he and I had the same retirement dreams/plans. 

I hadn’t considered that we wouldn’t have the same retirement dreams/plans or that we would want different things from a family vacation.  If that were the case, would we be married and together for 14 years?

We weren’t Disney fans when we got married.  We were, however, adventurers.  Both of us enjoyed traveling.  The whole “Disney thing” we discovered together.  And, as our relationship has grown so have our travel plans and retirement dreams.

We’ve been asked if we would travel to Disney without the boy.  “You betcha!” is the appropriate response.  It is just that we haven’t traveled without the boy as of yet, but both of us certainly would.

Would we ever consider non-Disney vacations?  Definitely.  And, we have.  It is just that each time we experience a non-Disney vacation we realize that we miss the Disney difference; the service, efficiency, and, well, magic.

And, Disney allows for all of us to meet our vacation wants/needs whether it be down time and relaxation, great food, or high adventure.  Maybe that is why both of us, well all of us, lean to Disney time and time again for our family vacations. 

Now, about retirement plans. . . Those plans are in the works, too!  And, the husband and I are on the same page with those plans, too. 

Guess we are both incredibly lucky!