Behoffy— Like you, I am new to the sport (first jump was 5/4, finished AFF 6/14 and now have 17 jumps in, hoping to complete my A license this month). I am sure the emotions are different for everyone, but I definitely experienced some post-first-jump reflection (and still am, 2 months later). Like a lot of people, I had expectations; of course that changes your attitude about the outcome. On one hand, my first time touching ground again was amazing. The self-confidence, the exhilaration of freefall, and landing on your own won’t be duplicated in any other part of your life—you only get that skydiving. But this was a very personal experience for me, and I knew going in that it would be the best thing I had ever done. And it was. And when something like that is over, you feel like you’ve hit a high point in life and it’s only down from there—until you realize there’s a whole lot more to experience. It was kind of like losing my virginity all over again--that’s the only life experience that comes close in my opinion. Well, one thing I learned early is that when you’ve touched the ground, there’s only one place left to go—back up. For me, the ground is now the limit and when I’ve touched down for the last time, that’s when the high point of my life will be over. Not a second before. I’m hoping to draw this out for 25-30 years yet :-) It’s great that you and your husband are doing this together. Despite two months of stories and great times, I have only been able to talk 1 friend, possibly, into joining me. That came as a bit of a letdown. Everyone wants to hear the stories, knowing what it’s like—but getting them to do it and the money commitment is too much for most I’ve talked with. When I find something new I try to get all my friends to join in, so they can have fun too. However, this is a hobby I’m doing on my own for now. And, as one of my instructors said, “Everyone at the drop zone is your friend—you just haven’t met all your friends yet.” Also, despite doing this for 2 months, last weekend I turned with the wind at the last second (bad move on my part…absolutely the dumbest thing I’ve done under canopy so far) and had a very ungraceful, albeit injury-free, landing. So at some point, be prepared to question your own abilities and whether this is for you. I know I am, but I’m willing to pick myself up off the ground and walk back with my head high. So take your instructors advice and stick with it (if, on the other hand, your instructor says skydiving perhaps isn’t for you, I would heed that advice…but I’ve never heard that, lol). Whether it is for the sake of my own stupidity, or perhaps in spite of it, I always know I’ll be back to jump another day because nothing is more fulfilling than gathering up all that mental wherewithal and answering ‘YES!!!’ to that all important question when your neighbor turns to you on the plane and asks “Are you ready to skydive?” And then you jump into the big blue. Enjoy!!
