Snow Boots and Swimsuits

I love taking Claire to swimming lessons in the winter.  I’m not being facetious.  I really love it.  The weather is so mild and varied here that it could be in the 60s one day and negative 2 the next.  All I can do is hope for clear roads, and usually it’s not an issue.

I’m not required to be in the water with her during the class, but I put my swimsuit on and when she’s done with her lesson, we play in the pool.  Yesterday, it was barely above freezing outside, which was a stark reminder that it’s January, but inside it was June.  It’s always balmy and awesome.

In my head, swimming lessons and summer go hand in hand.  The swimming lessons of my childhood were held in an outside pool.  I can smell the sunscreen and chlorine.  I can feel the summer breeze.  I can hear the splashing and laughter.  It makes me smile.

Yesterday, as we were putting on our swimsuits and then jeans and then thick socks and snow boots, I thought about how funny it all seems.

It was like we have a secret.  Under these layers of coats, scarves, hats and mittens a little piece of summer has been hidden away.  We’ll keep it safe, secure and warm until we get to the pool.  Then, we’ll release it and frolic in it for an hour or two before wringing it out, carefully placing it the waterproof bag, bundling up and trudging out to the car through the snow.

Winter will be here for a couple more months, but it’s okay.  It will be summer again on Thursday, if only for a couple hours.