We saw Soul Surfer on Sunday night. This was the first movie we had seen in the theater in 15 months. Isn’t that the movie you would choose if you only went to the theater once a year???
The main reason we saw this movie is because if Chris had not married me he probably would have been a character in this movie. Seriously. Chris lived with the Hamilton family for a summer and then later served as Bethany’s youth leader at the tent church (North Shore Christian Church in Kauai). The reference to “Rad Night” in the movie…that was my husband’s job. He will HATE that I am writing this about him, but hey, it’s my blog.
Basically, he left paradise to marry me. Thanks honey.
Basically, he left paradise to marry me. Thanks honey.
Chris knew Bethany and the Hamilton family pre-shark attack, but we did return to visit Kauai once as a married couple and he visited with them post-shark attack too. Chris would tell you that the movie was VERY accurate in portraying the depth of faith and family commitment that this young woman and this family have. The movie also accurately depicted a passion for surfing – a passion that my husband shares.
Moving to California was a really big deal for me (see the “Never Say Never” post). I’m a mountain/lake/forest person…not a beach person. I’m from the Midwest, born to a very proud group of Scandinavian Midwesterners - the kind that like winter. California is the land of fruits and nuts. Surfing is a pastime, a hobby, an activity, a sport. Fruits and nuts and beaches and surfing were fun for my college years (not that I surfed), but not for serious real life with kids and jobs and such. Did I mention that I now hold a California drivers license? Yes, I do.
For years I fought the idea and the topic of moving to California. "It’s just the ocean honey, you can visit any time.” “You can really get into snowboarding, that will fill your need for adrenaline (i.e. replace surfing).” For years I did not understand or respect Chris’ need for and pull to the ocean. I didn't fully grasp that at the ocean he experiences God in an unparalleled way. Although I will probably never fully understand my husband’s relationship with this immense and magnificent force of nature, I can now say that I honor that relationship.
Moving to California was a really big deal for me (see the “Never Say Never” post). I’m a mountain/lake/forest person…not a beach person. I’m from the Midwest, born to a very proud group of Scandinavian Midwesterners - the kind that like winter. California is the land of fruits and nuts. Surfing is a pastime, a hobby, an activity, a sport. Fruits and nuts and beaches and surfing were fun for my college years (not that I surfed), but not for serious real life with kids and jobs and such. Did I mention that I now hold a California drivers license? Yes, I do.
For years I fought the idea and the topic of moving to California. "It’s just the ocean honey, you can visit any time.” “You can really get into snowboarding, that will fill your need for adrenaline (i.e. replace surfing).” For years I did not understand or respect Chris’ need for and pull to the ocean. I didn't fully grasp that at the ocean he experiences God in an unparalleled way. Although I will probably never fully understand my husband’s relationship with this immense and magnificent force of nature, I can now say that I honor that relationship.
As I sat in the theater on Sunday night something hit me about what Bethany Hamilton and my husband share:If there is a love for, and draw to, the ocean and surfing strong enough to make a teenage girl who had HER ARM BITTEN OFF BY A SHARK get back in the water, get back on her board, and continue loving and singing the praises of one of God's most glorious creations then there must be something spiritual in that connection.
I respect a connection like that. A lot.
I am glad the ocean and surfing are part of my husband’s life again.
