Four years ago I woke up in St. Thomas with a surge of excitement I have rarely felt since. I was going to Virgin Gorda, an island not too far from where my sweat soaked pillow laid. We would first go to Tortola and then make our way to the baths. But we had to catch the first ferry. My mother and godmother were taking their sweet time. They had no idea that my heart was racing at the thought of sharing the day with Mr. St. Thomas himself. Going to his island and being in a remote place with him by my side, or at least very close to me. To say I had a crush was an understatement; I was two steps from being head over heels for this guy! We made it to the baths after all the stops and the bumpy ride in the bottom of the ferry. He was on the ferry for sure but I did not get to sit with him until our first stop. When we hit the top deck I fell in love with the Caribbean sea and the peaking islands all around me. With the deep blue water that frightened me to the point of slightly wet underwear but invigorated my deepest parts...still to the point of slightly wet underwear. The breeze was so sweet and him sitting across from me with his little girl reaching to touch me was priceless.
When we crept through the massive rocks and down to The Baths I wept. He laughed at me a little bit and later admitted that he had lost appreciation for the paradise he lived in. Everyone went off wandering this way and that. I found myself alone at the side of a massive rock praying to God and thanking him for the amazing scenery and adventure. Then I heard my name being called and Mr. St. Thomas beckoning me to follow him. He led me through caves far away from my passport that sat in my bag under the brush on the beach. We climbed over more rocks, down ledges, and through rippled water. He looked at me with the same wonder that I had for the loveliness around me. As we waited behind other tourists he pointed out the termite paths of the trees, etching in the rocks, and explained the dangers of a rising tide in the very place we stood. We finally came to a clearing and the others called out to me eagerly. My eyes began to water but soon I was wading in water up to my chest. The men were diving, the kids were giggling, and the women were trying to suck in their stomachs gracefully. I was in the midst of the best day of my life.
Today, I sit at a lunch table in a high rise building in Atlanta. I look a little different and I've been back to the Caribbean every year since. I have a different job than I did then and I have even published my first e-book. I am making strides to live out my purpose and fulfill my dreams. With all this progress I am challenge to let go of the past. It's been a hard task but grows necessary with each new experience. Much like that ferry, life is moving me to a new place- a destination that will expand my world. I'm not sure why I started to relive that particular day in my head but it brought back the same heat of excitement and wanderlust that it did that day. The crush has since been crushed and with it the friendship I thought would last forever. I have no idea when I will climb the rocks of The Baths again. I still haven't achieved all of the dreams that seemed so possible that day...but I am smiling at the thought of it. We left the baths and I remember looking back hoping for the best ahead. I remember wanting more love, more life, more success, and most importantly more days like this. That night we stayed in Tortola and the waves of the sea concluded a wonderful day by lulling me to sleep. I must admit that the memory has awakened me. I've let go of the past with a smile. I think I am ready for another adventure; in love and on the high seas.
