My 24th birthday was a few weeks ago and Matt told me he got me something useful and practical, but that I had to wait for it. Naturally I sat there and guessed everything under the sun but he refused to give me any hints because somehow I always ruin my own surprise. Well this past Saturday morning, I finally got my gift!
We were heading up to Whistler in the morning, and 4 of our friends drove in a separate car in front of us. I was pretty pumped because it was a sunny day, and we had planned to spend the day at Lost Lake, then spend the night in a luxury suite in the Upper Village. As we were driving up, I showed Matt a sign for Whistler Bungee, just as a point of interest because I know he’s terrified of heights. All of a sudden the car with all my friends made a right at the sign, and Matt followed. I asked who was bungee jumping and he just started smiling and said “you are!”. I think I instantly got a stomach ache and my heart felt like it was in my throat. I couldn’t believe everyone had pulled of such a good surprise!
I was scheduled for the first jump of the day and the crew had yet to arrive when we got there. We all stood around for a bit, and I had a few minutes to prepare myself.
When the staff arrived I started getting pretty nervous as they were a group of groggy looking Australians, their forearms dotted with club entry stamps from the previous night. I think what scared me the most is that being the first jump of the day, there’s no one before me to test out the equipment that these probably hungover employees had just hooked up.
Before I knew it, I was standing on the edge of the bridge, looking down into the river. He counted me down, 1, 2, 3, and I didn’t jump. I needed a minute!
When I was ready (are you really ever ready?) I leaned out past the point of return, and stepped off the edge.
What a rush! I think the scariest part is willingly stepping off the edge, but once your falling you don’t even have time to think. An awkward, scared-for-my-life scream escaped, and I flailed like mad all the way to the bottom. After a few more exciting bounces, I hung out at the bottom, taking it all in.
They pulled me back up and I couldn’t stop smiling. What a great way to kick off a morning, a Saturday, and the start of a great trip away with my friends!
Way to pull off the best birthday surprise ever!!
