At the beginning of 2011, my husband shared with me something that had been on his mind for a while and he wanted my thoughts on it.  He said it had to do with a sailboat.  Jokingly (but seriously) I said, “Ok, but I’m not going to live on one”.  I had NO IDEA that was exactly what he had in mind!  After apologizing for jumping to conclusions and shutting him down, we talked about what he was thinking.  This is how it all started.  Gradually discussions about living on a catamaran surfaced.

I had MANY fears.  I was raised in Ohio and I came from a family of LAND lovers.  I don’t remember ever going to the ocean growing up. In fact, we seldom, if ever, went swimming.  Just thinking of being in the middle of the ocean with no land nearby scared me to death! (I have been on several cruises and that was okay.  I think that is a lot different than two people fending for themselves, tho!).  Two of my first fears were of the water and the storms (Hey, I am in a hurricane state!).  Second, was selling all my possessions or at least most of them.  We had already decided that our home was too big for just the two of us, but I didn’t realize the next move would be onto a boat!

My husband is a clever man.  He had done his “homework.”  He had read for months all the books, magazines, and blogs he could get ahold of, being prepared for all my “objections.”  Over the next few months this subject would come up and he would have me look at videos of couples who live on catamarans and travel the world. He gave me articles to read and shared some things he had read. We began to read a book called Changing Course by Debra Ann Cantrell to give me insight on other women who were reluctant to make this move.  Before the first chapter began, there was a quote that left a lasting impression on me…WE CANNOT REACH NEW HORIZONS IF WE FEAR TO LEAVE THE SHORE. It was amazing how I related to so many of the women who have become cruisers.  I began to think if they could do it, SO CAN I!!  (I think! haha)   I took a few swimming lessons at the YMCA which made me a little more confident to be in the water.  Barry and I took sailing lessons and became certified in basic sailing, coastal sailing and bareboat charting. Later, we attended a boat show in Tampa, FL.  These steps have helped me be a little more confident at making the move as I weed through 33 years of “STUFF” (oh my!).  After the boat show we decided we would definitely get a new boat which meant it would have to be a smaller catamaran.  I was afraid of getting a used boat with problems unforeseen.  Well, here we are owners of a “2007” catamaran!!  We saw it for sale here in FL and thought we would just go to Miami and check it out.  The rest is history!! I think it was made for us.  I have to confess I HATE change but each change in my life (with God by my side) has made me the person that I am today.  I hope it has been for the better!  One thing about this man that I married… He dreams BIG and is NOT afraid to believe in them.  This is what spurs me on to be a part of those dreams