This summer, my boyfriend (Sam) and I reached the 'meet the family' stage in our relationship. With both of us going to school in Nashville and having our families living in different states, the summer time just made the most sense to make the trips. We met up in Portland, Oregon (my hometown) and then flew down to Colorado Springs, Colorado (his hometown). Other than driving through the state for family road trips, this was my first time in Colorado and I was excited to be a tourist.
Sam had let me know that he wanted to go hiking on Thursday night with some of his buddies from high school. I was completely ok with that. I was excited to meet all his friends and a hike felt like a great way to do that. Coming from the Pacific Northwest and an outdoorsy family, I felt confident in my hiking abilities, despite the words of warning about the altitude. I'd been in Colorado for a day and a half without feeling any difference, so why would I on the hike?
I would soon have the answer.
Sam and I meet up with three of his friends from high school and we begin the hike up Mt. Herman. I start out in the front, trying to show these boys that I can hold my own, that I can go on a hike and keep up a conversation at the same time. Soon, however, my breathes start to get very short. My chest gets a little tight. I tell myself, "You're just a little out of shape, this is fine. We haven't even been walking that long, you're fine." My self-encouragements did nothing to help the weakness in my legs or the burning in my chest. I stopped. I leaned against a tree hoping the air would come easier now. I called for Sam hoping that the other boys would notice that I needed a break. Everyone stopped. Sam walked back to me, gave me a sympathetic smile. The other boys were laughing and talking and going on like nothing. I was embarrassed. I wanted to give up.
I like to think that I'm pretty tough, that my years of cross country and softball had toughened me up for outdoor excursions and other experiences. So, my pride was taking quite a hit when I was the only one struggling on this hike. Altitude, this thing I couldn't even see, was making me feel weak. I hated it. Of course all the boys were very gracious, encouraging me, telling me they didn't mind all the breaks I was taking. Sam began to walk behind me so I wouldn't be alone and to offer encouragement whenever I felt like calling myself a weenie.
Our goal had been to reach the top in time to watch the sunset, but we just missed it. I sat down and thought to myself "If I had just taken one less break, maybe we could have made it on time". Almost immediately I tried to let that thought go. Here I was, sitting at the top of a beautiful mountain with my boyfriend and his friends, and all I could think about was how slow I'd hiked the trail.
In that moment, I was humbled. I was humbled by the beauty God had surrounded me with. I was humbled by the grace of the boys who accompanied me on this hike. I was humbled by the fact that something so seemingly simple, could have such an impact on my body.
My Colorado adventures end today as I fly back to Nashville, but I hope to return soon to have the altitude give me another lesson in humility.
