07/12/2026
This is why I love what I do. Read it, think about it, and then reach out to me if anyone you know wants to be safe in the water.
I wanted to share something that happened and tell you just how grateful we are for everything you've taught Lukah.
We had friends over for dinner while several neighborhood kids were outside playing. Many of the homes on our street have pools, and the kids who regularly play together are all confident swimmers. We are always very careful about supervising our pool.
We have newer neighbors with a three-year-old son and his nine-year-old daughter who don't usually play outside with the other kids. Somehow, they wandered into our backyard through the side gate near the pool equipment—an area the kids never use—and we had no idea they were there.
A few minutes later, Lukah walked into the house completely soaked. At first, I assumed he'd gotten caught in a water balloon fight or accidentally fallen into the pool. Then he looked at me and calmly said, "I just saved a life."
I didn't fully process what he'd said because my first thought was how cold he was. We rushed him into a warm shower while I tried to figure out what had happened.
A few moments later, Ford came inside, completely dry, and told us that the little boy from down the street had tripped and fallen into our pool. Lukah saw it happen and didn't hesitate. He pulled off his shirt, but there wasn't even enough time to take off his shoes before he jumped in after him.
I immediately ran outside and found the little boy standing there, soaking wet and frightened. We brought him inside, wrapped him in towels, and helped warm him up while his sister ran to get their mom. Josh met them outside and explained everything. Thankfully, the little boy was cold and shaken, but he was okay.
Later, after everything had settled down, we asked Lukah what was going through his mind. He told us the little boy was heavy, but he remembered exactly what you had taught him about how to safely help someone in the water. He simply knew what to do.
As parents, hearing those words was overwhelming.
We spend so much time hoping our children never have to face a true emergency. We certainly never imagined that at just seven years old, Lukah would find himself in a situation where another child's life depended on him. But because of your coaching, he didn't panic. He stayed calm, trusted what he had learned, and acted immediately.
There is no way to know what might have happened if he hadn't.
That is because of you.
You didn't just teach our son how to swim. You gave him the confidence, awareness, and skills to respond in a moment when every second mattered. Those lessons reached far beyond the pool that day, and they made a difference that our family—and another family—will never forget.
The little boy's mom came by tonight to thank Lukah in person and gave him the biggest hug. Through tears, she said she couldn't believe a seven-year-old had been able to save her son. I gave her your number, and she's planning to call you because she wants both of her children to learn from you.
I don't think "thank you" is enough, but it's a start.
Thank you for believing in your students, for taking the time to teach them the right way, and for preparing them for moments we all pray never happen. On Sunday, your lessons saved a little boy's life, and for that we will be forever grateful.
With heartfelt gratitude,
