Friday

Laughter and Emotion

I called my Mom today to wish her and Dad Happy Wedding Anniversary. We talked for a while, laughing and telling stories. My parents are great role models, the older I get, the more I want to be like them. Even when they are a little nuts.

Thought

Tonight Luke and I watched the Texas A&M softball team in a Super-Regional game on ESPN. I played softball for 11 years, from age 7 to 18. In high school I was on a competitive team during the summer where everyday meant driving 45 mintues one-way to practice from the hottest hour of the afternoon until sun-down, all the while our coaches pushing us harder and harder, and every weekend meant traveling with the team to a tournament. Our goals were to compete in the National Championship at the end of the season and to prepare ourselves to play at the next level. I didn't share the dream of a softball scholarship, I knew Texas A&M was the only college for me and I wasn't talented enough to play there as my sister did. I was there to be part of the team and because athletics was my life when I was growing up.

I spent more time with those 15 girls than my friends whom I went to school with or even my family. It wasn't a sacrifice, even at 16 I realized it was an amazing opportunity. Those two years of complete dedication to softball did turn out to be an experience which defines me. Our coaches told us we would always remember our team mates and they were right, more than 10 years later I can see each of their faces and the memories come rushing back. I've never worked harder for anything in life and had so much fun at the same time. Seeing the Aggies (who won, the 1st game in a best of 3) tonight reminded me what it feels like to work for something and how sweet success can be when you accomplish something as a team.