As Mother's Day Approaches Scuba.com Founder Reflects on Her Unusual Journey of Motherhood
Some folks make families with their bodies - others make families with their hearts. This year Scuba.com (http://www.scuba.com) owner Melinda Herndon and her husband celebrate the 30th year of their business "baby" and reflect back on another baby who came into their lives 22 years ago: a one-year old baby girl. Instant families with complex back-stories are hard enough without a mom-and-pop business in tow.
IRVINE, Calif., May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Some folks make families with their bodies – others make families with their hearts. This year scuba.com (http://www.scuba.com) owner Melinda Herndon and her husband celebrate the 30th year of their business "baby" and reflect back on another baby who came into their lives 22 years ago: a one-year-old baby girl. Instant families with complex back-stories are hard enough without a mom-and-pop business in tow. According to Melinda:
"In my mid-30s we had a bunch of retail dive stores in two states. I was working long hours and traveling between stores for coaching and training. Then I got a call. A family member had committed a crime that resulted in a prison term. The father was also behind bars. Suddenly there was this little baby with no place to go. I explained all this to my husband and he said that thing that he says so often. That thing that makes me love him. 'What can I do to help you to do what you think is right?'"
Melinda and her husband spent nearly 10 years securing their family bond and their daughter's safety, none of which was remotely easy, "The three of us lived in a state of periodic dread that we would be separated...until that happy day we stood before the Judge and were declared an official family." That little girl is now a 23-year old college graduate working in New York.
Growing up in a family business brings its own set of challenges – and delights, "Our daughter grew up under the roof of Scuba.com. As a child she could often be found sitting under my desk at work playing with toys, having me jump down with great frequency to join her. Later on in her life it was normal for me to pick her up from school and bring her back to the office so I could finish out the workday whilst she sat at a desk and did her homework. She was the best mascot any business could have!"
Perhaps the best gift a mother could ask for is a child who grows to appreciate her efforts. Recently Melinda got a letter from her daughter, which read, "Over the last six months, I've noticed that I am turning into my mother. Usually, when a girl realizes this, it comes with an, 'oh no!' In my case, however, it was followed by a 'Thank God.' Today I'm thanking my mom for not only being my best friend, cheerleader, and advice-giver, but for also being the kind of mom that I am relieved to be turning into. Because if I turn into my mom, I'll be set for life." Like mother, like daughter.
From the Scuba.com family, we wish you and your loved ones a beautiful Mother's Day weekend. Whether you are a mom, grandma, wife, auntie, sister or friend, your grace filled and giving hearts are acknowledged on this special day - above and below sea level.
About Scuba.com
Scuba.com (1-800-34-SCUBA) is owned and operated by Scuba Diving Instructors serving the needs of scuba divers for nearly 30 years. Since the inception of its website in 1996, http://www.scuba.com has operated the world's largest and most visited retail scuba diving equipment website. Scuba.com's professionally trained team of scuba diving instructors are favorites of high profile executives and celebrities who have purchased their scuba gear and learned to scuba dive with this award winning operation. For more information, please visit https://www.scuba.com. We also invite you to visit https://www.facebook.com/scuba.com and https://twitter.com/scubacom.
SOURCE Scuba.com
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