I have been scuba diving for almost fifteen years now, and if I have heard it once, I have heard it a hundred times: I can’t dive for a few years, I have kids. I want to tell you; this simply is not true! As a the wife of an instructor and now an instructor myself, no one finds it odd that just months after my daughter was born, I was back in the water, I am an anomaly some would say. Well, that is not true either. I dive with several mothers and one really stands out. She is devoted to her children and to her love of diving, Cassidy Meador. 

Cassidy has been diving for almost five years now. She jumped out on the limb and took the PADI open water dive class from my husband, Clint almost six years ago. We all instantly connected. If you have ever hung out with Clint and I, the more the merrier. We love to travel on a budget (sometimes) and I do not mind friends who travel. For three years,  the Meadors, Chase and Cassidy, and Stacey Meador, now Mimi Meador traveled often diving with the Johnson family. When Nora was born nearly two years ago, Cassidy stood in line to get her passport to Cozumel, Mexico. 

We traveled in a herd through the airport. Everyone pulling their suitcases and Nora wrapped around her mother. Arriving at Hotel Cozumel, we hurried to our rooms and all met up at the pool. Even with a little one less than six months old, the Meadors barely missed a beat. Over the next week, we worked it out so that everyone had a chance to go out on the dive boat. Clint and I had decided to dive with Sharkie’s. Walter and his crew always provide us a great dive, super safe, and amazing surface intervals. This trip was no different, but the surface intervals were very important to have a little privacy. 

Nora was not on the bottle yet and Cassidy was still pumping and nursing. With the dive boat leaving out at 7:30 and not returning until lunch, it was important to find time to pump. On our surface interval, Cassidy was able to find a quiet corner of the beach, cover with a towel, watch the horizon, enjoy fresh fruit, and pump. The boat cooler provided a safe place to store Nora’s precious milk.

Over the next year, we dove several other locations around Texas and Florida. Each time, we all traveled together and Cassidy was able to do the one activity that helped her find peace: DIVE. She made it look easy. 

Last year, Cassidy and Chase announced that they were getting ready for their second bundle of joy, Oliver. For many women, the second child usually does them in. It seems that one is a handful and two is just too much to travel with, but with a support system, this is just not true. 

December, we took our third annual Johnson/Meador Polar Plunge. We rented two little condos at River Run in New Bransfuels just off the Comal River. On the first night, we enjoyed the hot tub and fellowship. The laughs and conversation was 100% good for the heart. The next morning, everyone woke up, enjoyed breakfast and then got set to go exploring. 

The water levels were a little low, but even six feet of clear water and bass the length of your arm is exciting to a true diver. Cassidy jumped in diving and explored most of the morning. We took turns hanging out with the kids and they loved looking into the crystal waters of the Comal. The Polar Bear Plunge was again good for the soul and perfect for this new mom. 

This summer, our annual trip to Cozumel is already planned. Nora is in regular swim lessons at 2 so we will all feel better with her around the water and we have left the comfort of Hotel Cozumel for a new resort with more for the kids to do, but some facts don’t change. In July, Cassidy will be in the water where her gills will be revived and her heart set free by the underwater marvals in Cozumel. 

If your mom who dives, don’t give it, find a TRIBE. Diving is a lifetime certification. It is sometimes a little pricey, but it is the perfect peace that every mother needs.