I’m not a water person. Since I learned to swim as a kid, I can count the times I bobbed around in a pool on one proverbial hand with a few fingers left over. Lounging around a pool, being parboiled by the Florida sun is not my idea of a good time.

I don’t even like washing my face with water; I use cleansing wipes instead.

Six months ago, a new YMCA opened about a mile from where we live, so Bob and I joined. I’d rather have my teeth pulled than lift weights, so I looked at the classes offered. I saw Aqua Zumba and Forever Young strength training in the pool. Ugh! I’d have to get wet, but I decided to try anyway.

The first class hooked me. We danced in chest-deep water to Latin music, and I loved it. I felt like a kid again, splashing around and jumping, not something I could do on land. The cool water soothed my joints, and I didn’t have to get my face wet. Big plus!

Our fantastic instructor Eva reminded us to stand up straight, put our shoulders back, tuck under our butts, and dig into the water. She made us laugh with her antics and kept the class fun. This didn’t feel like exercise at all.

Then, I came to know the regulars in the class. Jackie is the aqua queen. She attends water classes almost every day and knows all the routines.

Martha and Marsha are identical twins who are Florida natives. For a time, I could tell them apart because Marsha had longer hair; then she cut it.

Martha started wearing glasses in the pool, so I created a mnemonic to know who’s who.

I associated the r in read with glasses and Martha, but it wasn’t until later that I realized Marsha also has an r in it. Fortunately, I could tell them apart by then.

After a good workout, their treat is Chic-Fil-A chicken nuggets for Marsha and a chicken sandwich with extra pickles for Martha.

Eva Maria and her husband moved to the States from Germany six years ago with their rescue dog Maya, who’s fluent in German. Eva Maria’s husband works out in the gym and then comes out to swim laps while Eva Maria finishes her aqua class. She waves to him across the pool in the sweetest way, which always makes me smile.

Claire stays in the shallow end, where she can touch bottom, and wears a hat bigger than her. Sandy’s aching joints are already loosening up after just a few months. It’s always a special treat when two of my best friends, Jennifer and Connie, come play in the pool with me.

Mary Jo and her ninety-one-year-old mother Pat come to class twice a week and use our buoyant dumbbells, noodles, and swim boards to get a great workout. Seeing Pat inspires me to work a little harder when I’m slacking because if she can do it, so can I.

I look forward to seeing my pool buddies and doing these aqua classes each week, and I don’t have to put my head underwater. I don’t even mind when water splashes my face because I’m having such a good time with a pool full of great people.