Never had I ever shot a gun. To be honest, they terrify me. I also think the world would be a better place without them being so accessible. With that said though, in a controlled environment like a shooting range, it was something I wanted to try once.  

For my birthday this year, my babe was super thoughtful and planned something that we could do together that would also check an item off my birthday bucket list. So off to the shooting range we went.  

We checked out Wild West Shooting Range in the West Edmonton Mall. My anxiety kicked in shortly before we got there and I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to go in – but I pushed through anyway. When we stepped into the range, I was legitimately shaking and pretty much hiding behind Mathew.  

Our instructor was the best – so good at explaining what to do and kept us really safe, which is a huge plus. I was up first and I swear, it took me a good two minutes it felt like to even pull the trigger once. The key was to look at the sight and not the target. My vision essentially blurred with nerves and all I could see was the sight. My first round of 10 bullets was surprisingly close to the middle of the target – I even got two pretty much bullseyes!  

Near the end of the session, our instructor picked up on the fact it was my birthday celebration and let me shoot a couple of rounds on a Magnum 45mm revolver. The thing was huge and the kickback was more than I was expecting. Thank goodness he had his arm bracing my shoulder… it’s like he knew! Haha.  

Overall, it was a really fun evening and I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to aim and have an accurate shot. Thanks for a fun birthday, babe!  

What’s something you’ve been afraid of that you’ve tried anyway? Did your opinion change by the end of it? 

PS. I think I set a record, too – only two days after my birthday and I’m already checking things off my 28 x 29 list!