My Principality

[Celebrity Swimming Pools. All the details at Elle Decor.]

Growing up in Texas, we learned to swim before we could crawl. When The Little Mermaid came out, swimming became an obsession. My BFF and I would spend hours doing circular backflips under water and emerge singing: Ariel’s Voice.

Eventually, obsession turned into competition, when we joined The Briar Club Swim Team. Swim meets are a big deal in Texas. Parents stand at the edge of the pool with their iced teas in the 100 degree/100% humidity heat and scream encouragement to their children under water. It’s very exciting.

In one of my first races, I freestyled to the other end of the pool and attempted my flip turn. I missed the wall. I stood up, waded back to the edge of the pool (I have to touch the ledge; I’m not a cheater). And by the time I did, everyone else was already halfway across the pool. What was I supposed to do? Swim the length all by myself and hold up the meet? I had already lost. So, I pushed myself up and over onto the searing concrete, and walked around the pool back to the starting area. 

My dad came over in his black suit pants, starched white button down, and red Hermes tie. “Elles, you can’t just get out of the pool! You were in the middle of the race. You can’t just quit. You have to FINISH no matter what!” I was mortified. And I learned my lesson.