As I have mentioned before, due to circumstances beyond my control as a child, I grew up very quickly. I am not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me. I did what I had to do to help my family at the time. It was the right thing to do, at the time. However, I became very serious. I never really let my hair down. Every now and again, you would see me start to, but you would almost as quickly see me pull it back together and put on my big girl persona.

I am a woman with a lot of responsibilities, as most grown ups are. I have a wonderful husband I support in any way I can. I have three beautiful baby boys ranging in age from 4 to 8 years old. I have my own business I run with one fantastic employee. And I help support my husband’s business he has. Not to mention our financial commitments, which I will not bore you with. Needless to say, a lot on my plate.

Naturally, I have figured since I was a big girl with big responsibilities I really should not waste my time having too much fun. I always felt like that was a waste of precious time. Wasn’t there laundry to do or dishes to wash or children to pick up? Over the years I have found little things that would take my mind off of it all, but nothing really made me feel like a little girl again. I have had my fair share of nights at the club dancing the night away, but I am not really a late night person. I have had my fair share of adult beverages now and again, but alcohol does not sit well with my body and no matter how much (or how little as the case may be) I had to drink the night before, I felt icky the next day.

I am here to tell you I have found my new drug! When we were up in Shasta a couple of weeks ago, I got a small taste of how much fun jet ski’s were. But, I have to admit, I was very nervous and cautious. Well, I really let my hair down on Monday. I took my 4 year old out and he wouldn’t let me go over 8 mph. Then, I took my 6 year old out and he wouldn’t let me go over 20 mph. So, Mama took him back to shore with daddy and said, “I am going out by myself!”

I headed out past the 5 mph buoy’s and hit the accelerator. It was very choppy out there because of all the people, but I was loving it. I was skimming those waves! Talk about flying through the air with the greatest of ease! With the wind in my hair, the sun on my face and water on my glasses, I had no care in the world. Every time I would hit a wave and the water would splash in my face and get my hair all wet, I would giggle like a little girl. I was doing donuts and skimming the waves like I was an old pro, because I finally let loose. I felt like nothing could touch me out there. Not a care in the world. So, when I finally went back to shore, I felt much better prepared to deal with life’s daily challenges.

I will admit, when I woke up Tuesday morning, my body was a little sore. But, each time I felt the pain, I just smiled remembering my wonderful day out on Folsom Lake.

How will you let your hair down? What can you do to help release the tension and stress or your daily life?