The Swimming Suit

I looked out the plane window in awe at the most spectacular colors of blue that the ocean had to offer. Kristen and I were headed to a Caribbean Island destination for a week-long, kid-free vacation with some close friends. I couldn’t wait. I was like a kid in a candy story – giddy, anxious and salivating at the mouth. This wasn’t a normal vacation for us. Thanks to a generous gift we received, we were going to be able to enjoy vacation at a tropical location, with awesome food, sun, fun and at a world class resort. If you know anything about me and our vacations, they are not defined by high class sophistication with fruity drinks and umbrella stir-sticks. To say our family vacations are an adventure is an understatement. We usually stay at sketchy places and come up with our own fun and adventures – all to save a buck or two. I would always tell the family that we we’re building memories – maybe more like nightmares for the wife and kids – the Clark Griswold kind of memories.

I woke up early the first morning and had the entire resort scouted out before my wife and friends even crawled out of bed. I wasn’t here to sleep, I was here to take in everything the Island and resort had to offer. But when you’re with a group of people you must go along with the majority decision. So the first thing on the agenda was to get some sun at one of the gorgeous pools. The views overlooking the ocean were just breathtaking - the kind that leave you speechless. After some time in the sun it was time to cool off in the pool. As I hopped out of the water and sat on the edge, Kristen grabs my swimming suit and asks, “What’s that on your suit? Did you sit in something?” She had just purchased the suit for me prior to our trip and I had just ripped the tag off in the hotel room. If I ruined the suit, she was not going to be happy. “What is this?” she said while straining her eyes to take a closer look. As I looked closer, I noticed there was a pattern over every inch of the material – a pattern that only appeared when wet.

My jaw dropped open when I realized what was on my swimming suit. It was a silhouette of a naked woman. Yes, that’s right, a naked woman silhouette – the kind you might see on the tire flap of an 18-wheel truck motoring down the highway. Our friends started laughing hysterically as did we. I was a bit embarrassed to wear them around the extravagant resort – they were a bit out of place. I never wore that suit again and I’m not sure what ever happened to it – but it sure brings back some good laughs. It was a good thing I packed my old one as a backup.

I want to encourage you to laugh and have fun with your spouse as often as you can – to make memories that last long after the moment is gone. Memories don’t have to be made on a tropical island on a once in a lifetime vacation, they can be made every day – just take the time to deepen your friendship and play together. Don’t let the busyness of life keep you from having fun with your favorite person – your spouse.

Proverbs 5:18 ~ Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.