Work Hard, Play Often, Take Time for Love

After my husband finished school, we had the following conversation:

Me: You should find a hobby.
Husband: Oh really?
Me: Yes, something that will keep you busy while I write.
Husband: Like video games?
Me: No. Video games are a waste of time, and they rot your brain.
Husband: Couldn’t I just watch you write?
Me: No. That, too, is a waste of time and will rot your brain.
Husband: Fine, what did you have in mind?
Me: Why don’t you build something? You know, like how you used to build those model airplanes? Husband: …
Me: Seriously, you need to find something to do.
Husband: … … … What if I build a boat?
Me: Like a canoe?
Husband: No, like a sailboat.
Me: But we don’t know how to sail.
Husband: We can learn.

Two years later...

Watching my husband build this 14 foot Hartley was inspiring. He started with a pile of wood and a set of plans. He did not complete any special training or apprentice with a master. He does not have a degree in boat building or construction or how to build cool things from wood scraps. He did read a couple of books and spent some time in a few online boat building forums asking questions. Mostly, though, he went into the garage and worked. He worked hard. He made mistakes and smashed his fingers and got frustrated and threatened to quit more than once, but he didn't. He kept building and, when we put the boat on the water for the first time, our victorious shouts--"She floats! She floats!"--were well earned.

So far, we've taken our little boat out on the river a grand total of six times. I’m still not quite sure what a halyard is or what it means to raise the jib. I’m confused by the differences between tack and jibe and why we have to use separate words for movements that seem to me essentially the same. I have no idea how to read tell tales. Every time the boat heels to one side, I break into a sweat. 

But I'm learning. 

And I'm having fun. 

Most importantly, I am spending precious moments with my husband, laughing, loving, and watching herons fly low across dark water. There are wondrous adventures to be had here inside the wind.