do you believe in Destiny? Destiny isn’t a word you can just throw around and i don’t like when people use it too often because this word is one of the most important words in my vocabulary. i truly believe in Destiny and i hope you do too. take this story for example:
i’ve know Kaori Mayaguchi since she was around 14 years old. a really cute surfer girl that ended up being the youngest women surfer to win the JPSA Grand Championship. she dominated her competition and surprised everyone by retiring shortly after. really humble, really talented, and really sweet. then 3 years ago, we invited her to join our 2010 Go-Naminori Mentawai Boat Trip. she came with her surfboard and spear and what was about to happen changed her life forever.
we spearfished together. i was amazed on her talent to go down deep, and come up with dinner.
we surfed together. i watched this girl from a beginner at ikumi beach in shikoku, to a champion surfer pulling into barrels in the mentawai. this spot is called HT’s. we anchored our boat and surfed there for a few days. on one particular session, a japanese surfer paddled out. where did he come from? his name was Ryouta and he was staying for a few months at a camp right on the beach.
i have so much respect for japanese soul surfers so i wanted to go to see where he was staying and take photos. a few of us go check out his shack. super hard core traveling surfer that loves to surf.
we talk story, and it was time for our boat to pull anchor and head to another island.
i take this photo of him as i ask him to pose. he’s on the island, we’re on the boat in the background.
it was time for us to leave. we said our bye bye’s and headed back to our boat. i still remember this day so clear. we all met in the water earlier that day, then some of us went to the beach to see him, Kaori-chan wasn’t one of them as she was surfing during that time. we pull anchor soon after and left HT’s. a year later back in japan, i get a thank you email from Kaori-chan. she told me that she was in contact with Ryouta. i was so happy for her!
fast forward 3 years: last week, Kaori-chan and Ryouta got married!!!
when Toda-san sent me this photo, tears of joy came rolling down my face. i was so happy to see our mentawai members sharing this special moment together. i wish i was there to give a special message to 2 beautiful people that will start their new life together.
Kaori-chan, you look so BEAUTIFUL!!! i am so happy for you! ever since i met you as a young girl with so many dreams, i always wanted the best for you. you became a surfing champion, and became a fine young lady. it was awesome watching you grow and now you have a family! i wish you the best of luck in the future. keep on surfing, keep on smiling, and keep on marriage!
Ryouta, i was really impressed the first time i met you in the mentawai’s. you are a true soul surfer and i’m so happy you found such a great person. please take care of Kaori-chan and i hope to see you both very soon. keep on surfing!
now this is what i call “DESTINY.” believe in it, and it will come true! just ask this lovely couple!
