 An 80th birthday is definitely reason to celebrate. Some people note the momentous occasion with a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Others have a grand party with friends and family.
And then there are the folks who opt for something more adventuresome. Like Jane Monson.
The octogenarian, a longtime Woodinville resident who is currently living in nearby Snohomish, chose to jump out of a plane in honor of her special day.
"I just wanted to do something really different that I’d never done before," explains Monson. "All these years, I’ve driven down Highway 9 and seen the skydivers parachuting down and it looked like such fun. I decided that living to 80 is an accomplishment and deserves to be marked in a special way. I wanted to give myself an experience to remember."
The local woman shared her thoughts with her family, who didn’t believe she’d ever carry through with her plans.
 "We didn’t take her seriously," says Sandee Fahlen, Monson’s daughter. "My mom is a very mellow and laid back woman, who’s not very adventurous at all. She’s not even fond of flying." But then Monson went ahead and made the arrangements for her jump. And her family realized she was dead set on doing it.
"We were really surprised," adds Fahlen. "And we were all impressed and amazed at her for wanting to do something like this."
Before the jump, Monson went out to Harvey Field in Snohomish to check on a place she and her family could set up for a party after the event.
While there, she watched some people suit up and get in their harnesses for a jump.
 "I saw them go up and then come down in their parachutes and it made me want to do it right then and there," she says. "I didn’t even think about being nervous or afraid. I just thought about how exciting it would be."
Rain caused the jump to be rescheduled a few times, but finally, on July 10, the local woman made her dream become reality.
In describing the experience, she explains that for the first two seconds she was scared, especially when the door of the plane opened and all she could see was the sky.
"Then it was fun, fun, fun!" she exclaims. "The sensation of free falling is like flying, but you’re swaying back and forth. I was able to look around once I opened my eyes and it was so beautiful."
She comments that the landing was very smooth, thanks to the skilled instructor riding tandem with her.
Staff photos/June Collins-McKiernan (Pictures, top to bottom:) Jane’s jump partner Vlad Ursachii helps her get suited up before the big jump; Jane, riding tandem with Vlad, enjoys the sensation of flying; the landing was smooth; Harvey Field employee Kelly Craig congratulates Jane on the jump that celebrated her 80th birthday.
"They all wanted to be there to witness it," she adds.
"I don’t think they believed I would really do it. But, I did and I’d love to do it again!"
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