TRISTEN ANN

And just like that, another season in Bermuda has come to an end.

As cliché as it sounds, this time around feels like it went by even faster. Summer ended without warning, and before I knew it, I was saying “see you next year” to people I never expected to become such a part of my life.

It’s a funny thing, this lifestyle and the career I’ve chosen. People come and go so quickly, yet somehow, despite working long days with hardly any days off and constantly moving between countries, we manage to get to know each other pretty well. Despite our differences, our backgrounds, and all the little things that might otherwise set us apart, we find ways to connect.

It’s almost like living your life in a speed-dating contest. You either skip the small talk because you know you won’t have time to really get to know someone, or you stick to the small talk because you know you won’t have time to really get to know someone. Make it make sense.

I’ve experienced both, but I’m especially grateful for the friendships I’ve made with people who decided to skip the small talk. The ones where you somehow go from strangers to sharing the most ridiculous, honest, and meaningful conversations in what feels like five minutes. Those friendships have brought some truly beautiful, wild, and genuine people into my life.

They’re also the people who understand what it feels like to live this way, a lifestyle that can be isolating at times. Missing family, missing community, missing pets. Constantly packing up your life and starting over somewhere new. Building connections with people you know you might have to leave behind in a few months.

But just like them, I wouldn’t change a thing.

To some people, we might seem crazy, like we’re living with our heads in the clouds. Or worse, we might just look homeless because we don’t own a car or have a 401(k). And honestly, fair enough. We do live differently, and that’s okay. Because at the end of each day, even the really hard ones, I’m happy. Happy that I get to do what I love, in beautiful places, surrounded by beautiful people who get it.

And I couldn’t be more grateful for that. Because even if this career and the friendships that come with it are temporary, the experiences I’ve had along the way have made my life one I’m proud of. One I love enough that, for once, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

August, September, and October flew by, with one very special exception: my mom came to visit!!

She spent two weeks hanging out with me at my office… hehe. We went snorkeling, enjoyed sunsets, took in the views from the boat, and she got to know the team. She even got to experience our end-of-season staff party, and I was thankful she left early, before everyone started the traditional rum swizzle chug. Some things are better left as team-building exercises.

But one of my favorite memories from her visit happened on her last night. We walked to the park to watch the sunset, a huge grassy field perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We sprawled out on our blankets, the waves crashing below us and the wind wrapping around us as we took in every little detail of the sky. Soft oranges, big fluffy clouds, and rain showers scattered across the horizon.

We just sat there, taking it all in, without needing to say much of anything. No distractions, just us and a pretty incredible sunset.

In what little free time we had outside of work, I also spent a lot of time watercolor painting and managed to squeeze in a girls’ sip-and-paint night. Which was so much fun that I’ve decided it’s officially becoming a monthly tradition next season. Because apparently, I need another reason to buy art supplies.

Peak tourist season took the best out of me and everyone else on the team. We had no hurricanes or bad weather this season, which meant we didn’t get any breaks from the chaos. By the time school started back up, every single one of us was exhausted. The kind of tired where you’re not just ready to go home, you’re ready to be horizontal for approximately three to five business days.

But once we finally had some time to recharge, October turned out to be my favorite month of the entire season. Fewer people, calmer and cooler days, and some incredible dives with incredible people. After months of the busy season madness, it was exactly the kind of slower pace I needed.

And then, in my last few days, something happened that made the whole season feel even more special.

Eagle rays are super rare in Bermuda, and I hadn’t seen a single one all season. So, for one to show up on one of my very last dives, with some of my favorite people, felt pretty surreal. But it gets better. Not only did we get to see one, but it hung out with us for a full 10 minutes, swimming back and forth along the sandy bottom, slowly searching for a snack while we watched in absolute awe.

An eagle ray. Ten whole minutes. With my favorite dive buddies. On one of my last dives of the season.

An absolute dream.

Naturally, we had to celebrate accordingly, which could only mean one thing… A DANCING CIRCLE!!

We all held hands and danced in a circle underwater because, honestly, you’re never too old to hold hands with your friends and dance in a circle. Life’s too short! And if you can’t celebrate an eagle ray encounter with an underwater dance party, then what are we even doing here?

It was such a perfect way to end the season. A little reminder of why I love what I do, who I get to share it with, and how sometimes the best moments happen when you least expect them. You can bet I’ll be making the post-dive dancing circle a regular thing next season!

As much as I already miss my friends and the parrotfish in Bermuda, I’m happy to have some time to relax with family in Wisconsin before heading off to Kona, Hawaii, for another six months of diving. But this time… WITH MANTA RAYS!! Eeeeek!!

And actually, there’s a little backstory to how this next adventure came about.

Back in March, I went to Kona to visit my mom and ended up making a friend in the local dive scene. Fast-forward about six months, and I found myself looking for a job for the off-season. I remembered this friend, reached out, and sure enough, they pointed me in the right direction. And now, I’m headed back to Kona for six more months of diving fun!

It’s funny how things work out. I went to visit my mom, met someone along the way, and months later, that connection helped lead me to my next adventure. At the time, it was just another person I’d met along the journey. I had no idea it would turn into an opportunity to explore somewhere new, learn more about diving, and spend six months in the water with manta rays.

I’m so excited to keep learning, expand my diving experience, and explore more of the island. And, of course, I’m pretty excited about the whole manta ray thing. Did I mention the manta rays?!

But more than anything, moments like these remind me how strangely and wonderfully life can work out. The people you meet, the places you visit, and the little decisions you make along the way can lead you somewhere you never expected. Sometimes, the things that end up changing your life don’t feel particularly significant when they happen. You only realize their importance when you look back.

The world really is a mysterious place, and I kind of love that about it.

So here’s to another season wrapped up, friendships I’ll carry with me wherever I go, sunsets I’ll never forget, underwater dancing circles, and whatever the next six months have in store.

For now, I’m off to enjoy some family time, recharge my very tired self, and prepare for a whole new adventure in Hawaii.

As always, stay tuned beautiful people!

xxoo