Ever since I can remember, I have had an intense love for the outdoors. No matter what it may be –– hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, fishing –– I am all about it. Growing up on the Mississippi gave me the ability to utilize all the beauty there was from the woods to water. However, I always felt the need for more. From every picture I saw to every article I read, I knew the salt life was that missing piece.

So many people have expressed concerns about the possible dangers that linger within the big blue, but I never shared the same fears. My attraction to what I could learn and gain from it always outweighed any apprehensions I've had. No matter if it's diving into Emerald Coast or paddle boarding the bay, the ocean has always left me mesmerized.

For months I gawked at the little specs bobbing over the waves, knowing I just had to get out there. Unfortunately, the timing was never right, so my dream of catching a wave kept being put on hold. Once the day finally came and I slid onto the floating board, the wait felt more than worth it.

It all started with a quick lesson on land from a good friend who let me steal his board for the day. Little did I know that there would be way more to learn than just that one lesson. Dauntlessly, I picked up the board and headed for the break. After continuously getting pummeled by waves, I started to paddle back in, but something made me turn back towards the horizon again.

Laying in the middle of the ocean observing the other surfers catching wave after wave, I told myself I had to get up before leaving the water. This was clearly going to take some time because just then, I paddled quickly to get in front of a wave, only to go nose down and flip off once again. Climbing back on, I re-positioned and reminded myself that the key to success in anything challenging is patience.

While I was watching for the next set of waves, I saw one of the local surfers paddling in my direction. Nervously, I looked over and realized he was coming to talk to me. "Hey! Sit back on your board a little more and it will help you from nosing down every time," he yelled over. Before I could thank him, though, he paddled away. I laughed to myself and thought about how much I must have been sucking for someone to come over and say something. That didn't stop me though; I listened to his advice and scooted down towards the tail of the board. After rolling over the first few waves in the next set, I finally saw one that felt right. Paddle... paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle. I tried to get far enough in front of the wave, but no. Missed it. However, this time there wasn't a board flying in the air or waves crashing me under, because sitting back helped me stay on. This reassured my hope to actually catch one on my first day out.

I got out past the break and noticed the same surfer paddling back over. "Really?" I thought at first, "just let me struggle in peace." He floated up beside me and asked my name, then proceeded to introduce himself. "No way!" I said, "You know my friend Raela." In that moment I was reminded of what a small worldit really is. The rest of the day he paddled in and out giving me suggestions and pointers so that I could have my own successful ride. It took getting knocked down and standing back upmultiple times, but, before long, I timed them all perfectly. When I finally pushed up and got my feet under me, the emerald waves coasted me along, and all of the struggles washed away.

When I went out that day, my only expectation was to catch a wave. Little did I know what I really would learn from the experience. I now realize how much surfing can relate to your everyday life. Unless you're competing, you take nothing but memories back onto shore with you. It reminds you to always enjoy the journey in anything you do because nothing in life worth doing or having comes easy.