Blast From the Past

    I wasn't always afraid of roller skating.  I remember enjoying birthday parties at the rink where they'd give us glow necklaces and pizza, and later, in high school, going on weekends with my best friend when we didn't have anything else to do.  I'd always choose the quads (a term I only recently learned) over the inline skates because I liked the look.  

    The last time I'd gone skating was a few years ago at a friend's 40th birthday party.  I remember having to sign a waiver before I was allowed in.  This was new.  This was off-putting.  They recommended NOT skating if you didn't have health insurance (I was starting a new job and my health insurance hadn't kicked in yet).  I wondered if I should even rent skates. 

    Well of course I did, but I was terrified, and suddenly quite proud of my younger self for being so adventurous.  I cautiously made it around the rink within arm's reach of the side, the only thing you can grab onto.  I had my eye on the exit after my first lap, but decided to "live a little" and go for another.  I made it without falling.  I honestly can't remember if I went again.   


Dressed for the 90’s birthday theme (I’m in the middle)

 
    Fast forward to this August, my friends post a video of themselves roller skating, and I tell them how fun it looks, and they tell me they went to a class.  A CLASS!  It never occurred to me that you could TAKE LESSONS.  Turns out this rink has weekly Newbie Nights which begin with group lessons for beginners (on one side of the rink) and intermediate (on the other side).  I was invited to the next one, and this is where my journey begins.

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