From then on, I let it be okay that he was, in fact, experienced outdoors and that it didn’t have to be a competition. I was actually able to relax and fully enjoy my time with him. In Big Sur on our way back, for example, I noticed that he knew to put the beers in the river to make them colder faster, and I didn’t feel one bit slighted that he didn’t need me to tell him.
I let myself enjoy not being in control. I even let him set up the tent. I spent the rest of the trip free of those little demons in my head telling me I needed to prove myself and my worth by being better than my boyfriend, and our relationship continues to be the better for it.
But…I am excited to take him river rafting with my river rat buddies this summer. He swears he’s never done THAT before.
