Isabel’s Journey - Because Life Ain’t Over Yet

 My first attempt at fighting in armor went just as I expected it to: the experience left me teetering on the fence about whether I wanted to continue this new activity or not. On the one hand, I had a good time. On the other hand, the experience was unfamiliar and therefore scary. ~~~~~~~~~~~ My best friend and I finished the fixes on the armor I received, and had finished a sword and shield for me. I was very excited for the work to be done, and surprisingly, I was HYPED to start my first lesson. The day before this event, I went to a local fighting practice and was able to talk to another good friend of mine - one who has been a Heavy Fighter, but has come back from an extended break from the activity. I talked with him about my goals, and showed him the one piece I was still working on, and he was very supportive and complimentary. He made it known he was interested in crossing swords with me when I was ready, and was happy to show me anything I wanted to learn. And then he gav...

 I will never forget the first time I put on armor. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I don't know who owned the kit originally - a friend of mine received it from a fighter in a neighboring Kingdom. I assume they were retiring, or may have outgrown the gear. In any case, my friend received this kit, along with a few other pieces of gear to give other women the opportunity to fight Heavy Armored combat in the SCA. This friend arranged to give the kits to my best friend to find a use for them. My husband, his Squire brother, and myself, all looked at the kits last Friday. There was one kit mostly assembled in one bag and it looked fairly impressive. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Assembling my armor was going slowly: We started in January, and then life got in the way - for me, and for my best friend, who was helping me. I was willing to allow myself to look janky as I tried a new sport. I figured if I didn't enjoy fighting, then I would not have spent too much money or effort to try it. And an...