I love you
in the future, present, and past
You were my first love
and you will be my last
I love you deeply and truly
Like no one else will
If you were someone else
I’d love you still
I love how beautiful you are
I love how sweet you smell
I love your soft touch
And the stories you tell
I love everything you do
And I love what I see
I love that you’re you
I love that you’re me

Dear The Unsealed,

First, a big thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in your writing contest! It is my understanding that you are having a writing contest with the prompt “Write A Letter About A Time You Left Your Comfort Zone.” Here is my letter to you about a time I left my comfort zone and took a leap of faith, quite literally. It was my 21st birthday. I was no longer in that awkward phase of “I’m not a teenager anymore but I’m still not an adult” aka adolescence. To celebrate my coming of age, I wanted to do something special. Although turning up on your 21st birthday is practically an American tradition, I was hoping to do something more rewarding. So I decided to go skydiving. It was an impulsive decision, but it was still one of the best decisions I ever made. I booked my appointment and then immediately started driving to the skydiving location. I made it on time, but they still made me wait a few hours. The suspense grew as each minute went by. When it was finally time, me and the other skydivers took off in a small plane that was completely filled up. On our way up into the sky, I was feeling very anxious, nervous, and scared. Despite all those dreadful feelings, I was also excited. After a few minutes, one of the instructors fell out of the plane. The others explained that this was normal, but I was still on edge. When we got 7,000 feet in the air, the instructor said we were halfway there. “This is only halfway?!”, I exclaimed. I took some deep breaths to try and relax. My instructor, the man I was attached to for the tandem jump, made the experience slightly better with his nonchalant attitude and light-hearted jokes. I loosened up a little. I spent a majority of the ride gazing out my window at the breathtaking view. When we got to 14,000 feet, I watched everyone jump before me. I was the last one to jump. I almost backed out right before the jump, but then I told myself, “I already made it this far, I can keep going.” Next thing I knew, I was in freefall. I was both terrified and thrilled. My excitement overpowered my fear. Joy completely washed over me. Once they pulled the parachute string and we began to glide rather than fall, I began to feel bliss. I looked down on my hometown in astonishment. I was flabbergasted! Sure, I was also a little bit scared and uncomfortable, but I was having the time of my life! When we were getting closer to landing, I could see my family waiting for me. I yelled to them but wasn’t sure if they could hear me. Then, I just started yelling for the sake of my happiness, regardless of who could hear me. When I landed, I walked over to my family with the biggest smile on my face. I gave them hugs and we chatted. I told them about how happy I felt. “I think I cured my depression”, I joked. When they asked if I wanted to get a drink I told them, “I’m already intoxicated from skydiving.” I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt ecstatic. I carried that feeling with me for the rest of the day. It was like a long-lasting adrenaline rush. Skydiving was a life-changing experience for me. I feel so empowered now because I tell myself, “If I can do that, then I can do anything.” I had conquered my greatest fear. It was the greatest feeling ever. I wanted to do it again right away. I’m definitely going back the first chance I get. Next time, I won’t be as scared. Skydiving broke down a barricade of fear and created a sense of confidence in me that I didn’t have before. I am incredibly thankful that I got to have that experience. It was truly an unforgettable 21st birthday. In my personal opinion, everyone should experience skydiving at least once in their life. The best moments in life happen outside of your comfort zone. If I could offer you one piece of advice, it would be to do something that makes you uncomfortable each and every day. Eventually, you won’t be uncomfortable anymore. Thank you again, The Unsealed, for letting me share my story. I can’t wait to read everyone else’s.

Much love,
Shaylaray Bilandzija