‘We Don’t Give Up’: How An Edmond Couple’s Love Helped Them Survive While Stranded At Sea

This week, an Edmond couple shared the unlikely story of their return home after nearly two days stranded before the U.S. Coast Guard brought them to shore. Kim and Nathan Maker celebrated their 12-year wedding anniversary on Sunday, the same day they left the hospital. This couple is inseparable by land or by sea.  

“We make a pretty good team,” Kim said. “We’re here. We made it.” 

How do you find new depths? The Makers will let you in on their secret, the key to a happy life they said is love. 

“We’re pretty cute,” Kim said.  

Their love story begins about a decade ago when Kim convinced Nathan to dive a little deeper, literally. Kim wanted to learn how to scuba dive. 

“And I said, ‘No crazy people do that,” Nathan said. “[But we] fell in love. There’s nothing like [scuba diving].” 

Fast forward to last week. They’ve dived hundreds of times before their trip off the coast of Freeport Texas. This story explains why a larger crowd welcomed them home this time. 

“They didn’t give up,” said Nathan, as he held back tears. 

Nathan helped a woman who drifted away from their scuba diving group. 

“You’re supposed to grab on to what’s called a ‘down line,’” Kim said. 

In the process, Kim and Nathan lost the line and they would soon lose sight of their boat. 

“Not worried just disappointed at that point,” Kim said. “Nathan has the good sense to tether us together.”  

Nearly two days passed as the couple waited for rescue crews to find them.  

“Coast guard said like fifty-mile-an-hour winds,” Nathan said. “We were really rocking and rolling in there.” 

Dolphins kept them entertained. 

“I can’t believe we just saw that,” Nathan said. “But we’re still floating in the ocean. This isn’t great.” 

Hope began to fade when the couple noticed the sun setting for a second time.  

“I think they were one hour away from calling it a recovery instead of a rescue,” Kim said. 

One rescue member never lost hope, and the U.S. Coast Guard turned a search plane around and they found them. 

“She just had a hunch and she said I want to give it one more try,” Kim said. “Those Coast Guard men and women didn’t want to give up on us.” 

Moments later, they found themselves at a hospital in Lake Jackson, Texas.  

“They brought a full-on hospital bed and stuck us right next to each other so we could hold hands,” Nathan said. 

They’re home thanks to a bond tethered deep within their hearts. 

“We don’t give up,” Nathan said. 

Of course, they always add a splash of humor to their stories. 

“We’re probably gonna stick to the rivers and lakes that we’re used to,” said Kim with a giggle, referencing the lyrics from the 1994 TLC song “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls.” “I was so proud of myself.” 

Sunday, August 4 is Coast Guard Day. The couple hopes they can meet the rescue team that saved them. They can't say how grateful they are for their efforts in bringing them home.