New to Swimming

Ok, here is some info, I am 23 years old, I am 6'3 and I weigh 185 pounds. I have been actively working out for the past 4 years, and I started out at 140, so I have worked out very hard to get to where I want to be. Now I am just TERRIFIED of water, I have never took swimming lessons at all. I have tried like 5-6 times and was unsucessful, last time I got in the water and it got over my head, I had a panic attack. However I have been dating this super great athelete, and she is one awesome woman. I love her to death, she works hard and she is really good at what she does. She swims for UT, she was heavily recruited. However she is a breaststroker, and very good at it I must say. I went to 2 meets earlier in the season, and she did very well, and WOW those girls put in a lot of time, at least 4 hours of practice a day,and then weights after that. They work hard, more info can be found here!! utladyvols.collegesports.com/.../clay_tiffany00.html Now she has agreed to teach me how to swim, but I am so scared of the water, I am just scared of drowning...I know I know she is not going to let that happen, or the lifeguard either. But I have everything ready.....goggles and nose clip, and I know this is crazy, but I can swim underwater, but not on top of water. But we will see how things go. I am really looking into swimming to help me get better physically and its so healthy for you as well. Any ideas or suggestions that could help me come over my fear of the water would be greatly appreciate, we are taking off to the pool tommorrow, so I was just curious, is there anything that I can do to help my self and better myself and to mentally prepare myself for this experience. I just don't want to look like a moron that is 23 and don't know how to swim, Its very embarrassing!! thanks, P.S. This board rocks!!! -Viper