As extended family circles grow, so do the number of social events. It’s fun to attend occasions and renew family ties.

A couple of weeks ago, I was at a backyard wedding reception up in the hills above Bountiful. The yard was impressive. It was a terrific place for the event with great views out over the valley. The sunset was spectacular.

One of the features of this backyard was a good-sized swimming pool, complete with a diving board. If you can remember the swimming pool scene from the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” — then you have a hint as to what similar happening is coming next in this story.

Shortly before the end of the reception, I got clued into a semi-secret plan of the bride and groom. Their plan was to quickly sneak away and change into “alternative wedding clothes” and create a spectacle, a big splash, so to speak.

This would be accomplished by jumping into the swimming pool. It was expected that many others would join in with the craziness and jump into the pool fully clothed as well. And, that’s precisely what happened.

When all this “jumping in the pool” started happening, I was the only adult standing with two of my grandchildren on a grassy path above the pool. My grandson, 10-year-old Luke, looked up at me and asked, “Grandpa, can I go jump in?”

I had the momentary vision of the T-shirt that you and I have seen numerous times on people. It reads something like, “In my defense, I was left unsupervised.”

Before I could answer, 11-year-old Scout, a sweetheart granddaughter, looked up at me with pleading eyes and made the same request. Scout’s parents had already left the event. We were in charge of getting her home after the party was over.

I really wanted to give them the “green light” for the memory making moment. If I let them plunge in the pool, it would live on in their collective “remember when” remembrance archives.

But, evidently, the practical, party pooper, buzz killing, grinch in me won out. I watched those young faces droop with disappointment when I looked at one and then the other and emphatically said, “No” and “No.” They sadly accepted the verdict and watched the splashing going on with envy.

Fast forward 15 minutes or so and Luke’s dad, my son, arrived on the scene. Having heard what was going on, in hushed tones he said to me, “Well, I don’t know. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if Luke jumped into the pool. You know? — YOLO”

If you aren’t aware, “YOLO” is an acronym and slang term for “You Only Live Once.” The YOLO philosophy is that we should not let opportunities pass us by. Some things just might be a once in a lifetime chance of experiencing something.

I do think that the “YOLO coin” has two sides. It’s not as bad as “Heads I win, Tails you lose” — but there are things to consider. In my view, one of the problematic aspects of the YOLO way of living is that often the cry of “No Regrets — YOLO!” disregards possible negative consequences.

I’ll admit, wet clothing is not a gigantic, life changing, negative consequence. (Unless you’re Jack in the movie “Titanic.”)

I will now reveal that Luke went home in wet clothing from the wedding reception. He received tacit permission from his dad and ultimately wound up in the pool. He was soaking wet and cold, but didn’t appear to have regrets.

Scout, on the other hand, remained dry. Sorry, Scout. Your YOLO moment from that night was and is the remembrance of being obedient to your “stick in the mud” grandpa. If only your parents had hung around, and given permission, perhaps you could have gone home wet as a worm on the end of a fishing line like your cousin.

(I’m somehow reminded of a riddle. Question: What is the most common cause of dry skin? Answer: Towels.)

OK — I confess. I have some regrets about not letting both of the kids jump in the pool when they first asked. They would have been thrilled. And I would have been the coolest grandpa ever. And, I think, perhaps, maybe — I would have been forgiven by the respective parents, eventually.

Knowing when to go into YOLO mode is a tricky business. You’ll have to be the judge in your own personal lives on a case-by-case basis. I would say that if the decision involves much of a possibility of death or financial disaster — don’t do it.

Don’t try to beat a train at a railroad crossing. Don’t cross a double yellow line on the highway to pass a car with “YOLO” on your lips. Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose.

Do provide help to others, with “YOLO” in mind. Acts of kindness for others can truly be motivated by a “You Only Live Once” attitude. Take a trip that’s been on your “bucket list” as a fulfilment of a positive YOLO mindset.

And, if you really want to — go ahead, do a cannonball or a belly flop off the diving board at a wedding reception. (But only after the bride and groom have jumped in) YOLO! — Merrill