My husband won’t ever display Kelly Slater’s talent at Pipeline, nor will he wow any crowd of spectators on the beach. In fact, he won’t even get his big toe wet off the North Shore of Oahu, but when he went surfing because of my love of the sport, he became the best surfer in the world.
I’ve been fascinated with the sport for years. I did boogie boarding and body surfing, and finally took my first lesson with a long board off the SOUTH shore of Kaua’i eight years ago. That’s where I really fell in love with the sport, even though it left me dry-heaving on the beach.
My husband didn’t go with me. He watched from shore and then listened to my excited utterances in between my hacking fits. As much as I amused him, he wasn’t the least bit interested in surfing.
Span forward to this fall. He was on business in California and had some time to himself one morning. I urged him to go surfing–for me. I wanted him to experience the rush, and power of the waves. (And show him I wasn’t a wuss for becoming exhausted every time I went!) Then I insisted he have photos taken since I couldn’t be there to experience it myself.
He went and was amazed at how much he enjoyed it. And he actually admitted how hard and exhausting it was! Then he promised that our next family vacation would involve everyone getting out on a board and catching a wave! Does he love the sport as much as I do? No, but he did it for me and will do it again…for me. It doesn’t get any better than that.
What has your significant-other endured out of love for you? Did he find out he enjoyed it more than he expected, or does he still plod along next to you just to be with you? Have you sacrificed to share an interest together? I’d love to hear your true stories of stepping out of the comfort zone for love.
About Kym Roberts
Hi Kym!
Well, I can’t say I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone too much except to attend some BIG magic conferences with the hubby. I enjoy it- it’s kind of hard not to enjoy being in vegas with hundreds of people that love to entertain- but not like he does!
Now my DH has stepped out of his comfort zone big time on a number of occasions starting from when we were dating. I knew he was the one when he jumped out of a box and sang to me on my eighteenth birthday- In front of all his guy friends too. They hassled him for a long time about it, but I’ll never forget it!
I’ve even worn him down over the last 16 years of marriage about dancing lessons… He’s “Open” to the idea- finally! And this boy doesn’t dance, so that would be WAY out of his comfort zone.
Great post!
Kim
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Kym Roberts Reply:
October 11th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Hi Kim! I love that your hubby jumped out of a box and will go dancing for you! We can only guess what’s next on Dr. Magic’s agenda…maybe Channing Tatum should take lessons from him on how to use his magic wand! (I’m sorry–I couldn’t resist!)
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Oh, Kym– I love this post! It is so sweet. And I can just imagine you dry heaving on the beach and still being excited by the whole experience. And Kim– I love the jumping out of the box in front of his friends. That is true devotion! I’ve always loved to dance and my husband who didn’t really care about it has willingly taken all sorts of dnace lessons with me. And now he even brings it up, suggesting what style we should try next. We’re no Fred and Ginger, but it’s so much fun and something we do together.
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Kym Roberts Reply:
October 11th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Molly I think your dancing experiences with your husband are awesome, it’s a great date night where you can laugh and have a romantic time with the man you love. Fred and Ginger have nothing on you guys–they got paid to dance, you and your husband do it for love. It doesn’t get any better than that!
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I definitely think there are things husbands and wives should do apart. We need our alone/recharge time. Take my husband’s woodworking. I would never ever ever want to attend a class on how to master hand tools. I’m too full of sophomoric humor and thousands of wood jokes. But we both LOVE movies. He’s not a fan of chick flicks but he will endure them for me. And occassionally he does find some bit of enjoyment, too.
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Kym Roberts Reply:
October 11th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Oh, Tracy a click flick is a MAJOR sacrifice. My son asked a girl out on a date this weekend and decided to let her pick the movie. He was hoping she’d choose Taken 2, (which would have been my choice) instead she chose Pitch Perfect. I couldn’t help but laugh my butt off. He still has no clue what the movie’s about, but I think my laughter may have given him a hint. He groaned and started preparing himself for the worst. We’ll see how he endures! So cudos to your husband for taking you to chick flicks, that is one torture my hubby is not subjected to–luckily for him!
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When I was going through a phase, my dh agreed to have his teeth professional whitened once. LOL
I’m the chicken. But a couple of years ago I agreed to go on a speedboat on Sydney Harbour. The first couple of wild spins I handled very well. Next one, the front of the boat hit the wake of another boat and the darn thing almost went over. My dh was thrown out of his seat and cracked his nose on a steel brace. I broke my toe. After that, I went back to being chicken
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Kym Roberts Reply:
October 14th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Robin that’s horrible! Honestly, I have to wonder about your captain-sounds like he didn’t prepare his passengers for the ride he planned to give you or he wa a little too inexperienced to attempt the thrilling ride he gave.
Try to remember the excitement you experienced before the accident, (unless of course it was a sense of impending doom!) and maybe–just maybe, you can try a larger boat that doesn’t get thrown around as much or a boat with a little less power that has it’s own appeal with a smooth romantic ride 
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