One morning morning I got out of bed and did my normal routine. I went to the restroom and looked in the mirror and thought of all the things I could do that day. Little did I know 5 minutes after I woke up I would receive a text from a close friend to do something rather daring… skydiving.

As the plane climbed my instructor asked me numerous times if I was scared. “No sir, not at all”. Now 4,000 feet in the air. He continued to tell me all the regulations and how the jump was going to go. He explained that I would be attached to the front of him and that I would be completely safe. Now, me being the dare devil I am, I was looking forward to the adrenaline rush. Now 9,000 feet in the air.

Higher and higher we ascended, blood pumping, heart racing… I was ready. Now 16,000 feet in the air, it was time. As we approached the open hatch of the plane I felt the freezing cold gusts of wind on my face, and the dryness of the air was over whelming. My instructor asked me one more time if I was ready and I responded with the most excited yes I have ever expressed. “Now Kylie, do you want me to take it easy on you, or are you looking for a wild ride?”, I responded, “Hit me with your best shot!”, before I knew it we plunged out of the plane head first.

The jump only lasted about a minute and a half, but it was the longest minute and a half of my entire life. The first thirty seconds was the longest. When we initially departed from the plane we did at least 10 front flips right off the bat. The adrenaline immediately rushed to my head and I couldn’t catch my breath. The harsh, cool air was whipping through my hair and pressing on my face and it was surprisingly exhilarating. Looking at the earth below, everything was so beautiful. Seeing the cities, landmarks, and colors of the world below was so much different up there. Absolutely beautiful.

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder from my instructor, and from his prior instructions I knew it was time to pull the parachute. I quickly counted to three and released our life line. The jolt back was harsh. I felt as if I was being yanked from life and then suddenly it was smooth sailing… literally. As we glided to the ground, my chest was pounding. I just kept repeating to myself… “I just jumped out of a perfectly good airplane”, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.