A little over a month after high school graduation, my lifelong friend, Alessia, and I realized that something was lacking from our lives. While we were given every physical, life-sustaining necessity that is required for our survival by our supportive parents, we felt as if we were still missing one of the essential pieces to our own version of "The Game of Life." No matter how many times we looked under the couch cushions, in between the furniture crevices, or in the vacuum cleaner, we could not find the component within us that had gone AWOL. We searched for hours, days, and even years. Then, one day, it hit us. We realized that in order to truly thrive, we first had to learn what it would be like if this opportunity was taken away from us in an instant. We decided, therefore, that the best way to do this would be by jumping out of an airplane.
All parents dream of watching their kids soar through the air as they capture their dreams. Our parents were able to experience this quite literally! On July 19, 2015, Alessia and I left our homes for the last time before our transformation or - if you'd prefer - our reformation (because this history term means "rebirth"). The thirty-minute drive passed quickly as our anxiety and adrenaline took control of our bodies.
"We're going to jump out of a plane!" We kept exclaiming, as the moment became more and more realistic.
When we arrived at the airport, we were instructed to fill out paperwork, and we were shown a brief film about the do's and do not's of skydiving. I felt like I was signing my life away as I initialed numerous black lines that explained the risks of skydiving. The thought of skydiving that we had imagined was transforming from an envisioned idea to an obtainable target. I inscribed the words "Carpe Diem" ("Seize the Day") on my hands in hope that these bold yet inspiring words would be caught on camera and would continue to motivate me in life. I tried my best to keep my sweaty palms from smearing the black Sharpie letters on my hands.
After watching people successfully skydive for a few hours, it was our time to shine. We were greeted by the men who were going to save our lives. They both were expert skydivers who had jumped over 10,000 times. Alessia began expressing her excitement to her trainer, Rich, who she had previously known. My instructor's name was Monkey, and he reassured me that as long as I followed his instructions, we would both survive and have a lot of fun. Alessia and I also met the photographers who would be capturing the moment for us. We were both interviewed before we left the ground.
As our plane was prepared for lift off, the butterflies in my stomach went wild. As soon as I stepped foot in the small airplane, I thought to myself, Well, this is it! It's now or never. If we die, at least it will be a cool way to go!
As the plane climbed higher and higher, so did my anxiety and adrenaline. At one point, after the rural airport began to look like an ant farm, Alessia and I asked if it was almost time to jump. Our instructors laughed at us and told us that we were only about halfway there. They explained that we still had another 7,000 feet to go. We watched in awe as the distance between us and solid ground increased.
When we were almost 14,000 feet in the air, my instincts kicked in and I realized I was not entirely sure how to land. I had forgotten what I had seen in the short skydiving video.
"Monkey," I nervously inquired, "What do I do when we're about to land?"
He chuckled and said, "Well if the parachute does not open, we won't have to worry about landing!"
He and Rich laughed. Sensing my nervousness, Monkey added, "Don't worry, I'll tell you what to do when we get down there."
The pilot signaled to our instructors that we had reached 14,000 feet. The girl who was sitting in front of me on the plane was the first to exit.
Monkey said to me, "Are you ready? It's go time!"
I nodded my head as we made our way to the edge of the plane. Never in my entire life have I felt so vulnerable. I said a quick prayer and peered down at the world below me. Monkey tilted my head back onto his shoulder and began to count down.
"Three! Two! One!"
We were instantly catapulted backward into the atmosphere as Monkey leaped from the plane. The last words I heard as I began to descend were the obscenities that Alessia screamed as she watched Monkey and I flip around. I smirked to myself as I tumbled through the air. Monkey guided my limbs as we fell freely for a whole minute, which actually seemed like an hour. I struggled to breathe as the cool air flew through my lungs at over 100 miles per hour. My skin was pulled back as if I had tried to saran wrap myself.
After a few seconds, I remembered that my photographer was capturing the moment on camera. I began to make faces at her and threw up a few hand signs. Remembering that I had written "Carpe Diem" on my hands, Monkey grabbed my wrists and helped me to steady my hands for the photos.
I finally understood what it felt like to fly. I was amazed, and to be completely honest, I was jealous of the birds who naturally soar through the air each day.
In an instant, our parachute exploded from Monkey's back. Our bodies were jerked into an upright position. We began to slow down, and Monkey started talking to me.
"Check out the view!" He exclaimed, "What do you think?"
I looked around me and tried to absorb the sight with my eyes. "It's beautiful!!" I declared.
"How are your ears?" He asked.
"They hurt a little from the change in pressure," I admitted.
"Don't worry, they will return to normal when we reach the ground," he reassured me.
Over the next few minutes, we both were silent as we gazed at the clear sky and extensive land around us. I tried my best to savor the moment. Monkey allowed me to steer our parachute. I felt the power drip through my fingertips and spread throughout my body. I can't wait to do this again someday, I thought to myself.
Monkey then explained how to properly land as we drifted closer towards the earth. When the time came, I put this new skill into play and nailed the landing. My photographer ran over to me and high-fived me. My adrenaline surged through my body like lightning, and I felt like I was high on life. My photographer asked me what I thought of my exhilarating escapade, but my words were locked inside my mouth. I was speechless, but I managed to let the word, "Cool!" slip from my lips to describe the experience. I watched Alessia descend towards the earth. Before I even realized it, my legs began to move in Alessia's direction. We both released our arms and hugged...after all, we had just survived a thrilling jump from 14,000 feet in the air together!
So, if your inner dare-devil is conjuring you, and you are eighteen years or older, I highly recommend risking your life for one of the most exhilarating experiences that you can legally accomplish! As for me, all I have left to do is go Rocky Mountain climbing and go 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu! Until then - as always - Carpe Diem!!!
Special thanks go out to Skydive Sussex in Sussex, NJ for helping this dream adventure to safely become a reality!!
Here are a few of my favorite photos from the unforgettable day!
I may look calm in this photo, but I was secretly freaking out.
I'll spread my wings, and I'll learn how to fly, I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky...
We're soaring, flying, there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach...
Look Ma, no hands!
I can see my house from here!
Shout out to Monkey for saving my life!!
An unforgettable memory was created with an incredible lifelong friend!
