Joining Freedom Boat Club has honestly been one of the most unexpected things for our family this year.
And if I’m being real… I had absolutely zero boating experience before this.
I think that’s the part people don’t talk about enough. It can feel intimidating trying something completely new as an adult, especially with kids. I had this idea in my head that boating was something people grew up doing or already knew how to do. Meanwhile, I was over here wondering how any of it worked and quietly hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself.
But one of the things I appreciated immediately about Freedom Boat Club was how seriously they take training and safety. Before you can even make your first reservation, every member goes through on the water training, whether you’ve boated before or not.
And honestly, that made all the difference for me.
I’m such a hands on learner. I can watch videos or listen to explanations all day long, but until I physically do something myself, it doesn’t fully click for me. Being out there on the water, learning how to drive the boat, dock it, navigate everything in real time, ask questions as they came up… that’s what gave me confidence.
It didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming either. It felt approachable.
And I think that’s what changed things for me mentally. It stopped feeling like this big intimidating thing and started feeling like something our family could genuinely enjoy together.
Since joining, some of our favorite moments have been the simplest ones.
Not the huge elaborate days. Not perfectly planned outings. Just regular family days that somehow feel extra special out on the water.
We’ve gone out on beautiful sunny days and days where the weather was a little windy and unpredictable. There have been moments where I felt nervous taking the kids out, especially the first few times doing it mostly on my own. But every single time, we come home talking about how much fun we had.
One of my favorite days recently actually wasn’t “perfect” at all.
It was windy. My hair was everywhere. The kids were being loud. Nothing looked Pinterest perfect.
But we made the most of it anyway.
We took the boat out, stopped for coffee, grabbed flowers before Mother’s Day, and just slowed down for a little while together. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, I realized these are the kinds of memories I want more of.
Simple moments.
Fresh air.
The kids laughing.
Trying something new.
Not overcomplicating everything.
I think in this season of motherhood, I’m learning that the moments my kids will probably remember most aren’t the perfectly curated ones. It’s the little adventures. The random afternoons. The times we said yes even when things weren’t perfectly planned.
And that’s what Freedom Boat Club has really become for us. A reason to get outside more. A reason to explore. A reason to slow down and spend intentional time together without needing some huge occasion to do it.
It’s helped me step outside my comfort zone in a way I honestly didn’t expect. And I’m really grateful we decided to try something new.
Because some of the best family memories start with saying yes before you feel completely ready.
