Taking the Plunge this Valentine's Day

In the past on Valentine's Day there was usually a strict method I would follow if I had a girlfriend: Breakfast in bed, flowers (delivered to her work), I would cook dinner, extinguish the fire in the kitchen, go out for dinner, and settle for a romantic movie while I kept my complaining to a minimum. I like this format. It has worked for many years. But for this Valentine's Day I have very different plans than what I have shared in years past.

Many months ago I was assigned to write a story over the Greene County Area 7 Special Olympics program. During the fall and the beginning of winter, the Area 7 team meets weekly at the Linton Bowling Alley to practice for their season. On November 25, trophies were being handed out to all those who have participated and excelled in bowling for the 2014 year. I had a wonderful time talking to the athletes and taking their pictures as they proudly displayed their trophies.

For those who do not know, Linda Bedwell is one of the organizers and sponsors for the Area 7 Special Olympics team. So, being a good reporter, I approached Bedwell to get some quotes and further information about the upcoming events for the Greene County Special Olympics team.

When I walked up to Linda, the first question she asked me was if I would like to join her team for the Polar Plunge. I instantly said yes, because in my mind I was under the impression that a "polar plunge" would involve sledding down a hill as in "polar plunging down a hill." I was mistaken. After saying yes, a smile came across her face and she replied, "He said yes, did you guys hear that?" When I turned around there was a crowd of people definitely within ear-shot who each nodded their heads. Bedwell then explained to me that a "polar plunge" involves going outside in the middle of winter and jumping in a vat of ice cold water.

"Last year," she told me, "it was so cold outside that they had to put salt in the water so it would not freeze."

For those who know me there is one word that usually comes to mind when asked about my personality: Stubborn. After Linda explained to me in detail what the Polar Plunge entailed, I did not back down. I later learned that over the years, Linda Bedwell has been the top fundraiser for the Polar Plunge. By being the top fundraiser, mine and Linda's team will likely be the first team to take the plunge.

So on this Valentine's Day, in lieu of flowers and kitchen fires, I will be at Indiana State University bracing the cold and jumping into a pool of ice cold water for an organization that brings smiles to the faces of many people all over Greene County. In all sincerity, I would not want to spend my Valentine's Day any other way.

Grant is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at (812) 847-4487, ext. 19. He can also be reached via email at gkarazsia@gmail.com.