Thank You for the Support
Being part of the dive community has given me some incredible opportunities — from teaching new divers to exploring new depths and sharing my love for the water. But behind every dive professional, there’s usually someone on shore making it all possible. This post is a little different — it’s a thank-you to the person who’s been by my side through every part of this journey: my wife.
As I keep pushing forward in my path as a dive professional while still running a busy business, there’s one person who’s been there through all of it — the good, the crazy, and everything in between. She’s seen every late night, early morning, and wild idea that’s come out of my head, and somehow, she’s still here cheering me on.
I actually woke up in the middle of the night to write this because I couldn’t shake how grateful I am for her support. No matter how far-fetched my ideas can get (and trust me, there have been plenty), she’s always said, “Okay, let’s see where this goes.”
We’ve been together since 2013 (probably longer if we’re being honest, but we’ll stick with the marriage rules here). Through all my random hobbies and big ideas, she’s always been the one steadying the ship. But this dive pro thing — this one stuck. It’s become a huge part of who I am, and she’s been right there through it all.
We're locked in now -
We’re locked in now — no looking back. Our son’s diving too, and I know if her ears would allow it, she’d be in the water right beside us. Trusting me to bring our son on this journey is a huge show of faith — and that trust goes both ways. It means a lot to have her confidence and belief in what we’re building together.
For now, she’s the best shore support a diver could ask for — and she never complains about the warm vacations and little drinks with umbrellas (a solid break from our nine months of PNW rain and gloom).
As she sleeps — like the Disney princess she is — I can’t help but think about how much she holds everything together. Without her, none of this would be possible. I hope she’s ready for a lot more adventures and crazy trips ahead, because we’re just getting started.
It’s also made me realize how important a good support system is for any dive pro. Whether it’s a partner at home keeping things steady or a solid dive team in the water, we all need a little help to go further. There’s a saying I love:
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
I hope she knows how thankful I am — not just for her support, but for her trust, patience, and belief in me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her. She’s my sounding board, my voice of reason, and my biggest cheerleader. When I’m weighing whether an idea will help our dive community or if it’s just another “Randell idea,” she’s always there to help me see it clearly.
