I said I would never do it again.

I did the Polar Bear Plunge in 2006 and 2008 and decided twice was enough. After all, a single plunge is enough to join the storied club that, according to unwritten and completely unofficial rules, requires one to go to Lake Michigan's Bradford Beach at noon on New Year's Day and dive into the icy waters with about two thousand other nuts. (And, for the record you have to go completely under to gain membership to the "club.")

But this year, I did it again. This year, I did it to be with Anita, my dear friend and the mother of three beautiful daughters who suffered a serious brain injury after being hit by motorcyclist while riding her bicycle home from the fireworks on July 3.

It's truly amazing that she is ringing in another year (although she is one of the strongest women I know) and arguably even more amazing that her surgeons gave her the go-ahead to take the plunge.

And so when I learned Anita was going to do it again, that she was going to dive under to wash off some of 2011's pain and loss, I decided I would do it, too.

Funny thing is, Anita talked me into doing it in '06, and again in '08, but I did it again this year not because she talked me into it, but in solidarity to a true friend. So here's to new memories in 2012, Anita, and mark my words, I am never, ever doing this again.