Growing up, I always hated how everywhere my family would go, my mom would know someone. And when I mean everywhere, airports, rest stop bathrooms, restaurants, you name it, my mom would know someone. It wasn't until recently when I realized that my mom has met a lot of people; not only does my mom just know them, she has touched the lives of them.

My mom is a high school field hockey coach. Coaching fourteen to eighteen year old girls definitely is not an easy task, and my mom lives for it. She loves going to practice and teaching a new drill. She loves to win and hates to lose even more. My mom is no rookie when it comes to coaching either. With over 200 wins under her belt and 27 years of being a varsity head coach, I would say she is pretty good at what she does. With that being said, that is 27 seasons of high school girls who have had the opportunity to play for her, including me.

My mom doesn't just teach her players the game of hockey, she teaches them life lessons. Everyday she sheds her wisdom to her girls in hopes that one day they can grow into mature, hardworking women. I think she has done one heck of a job in doing so. Many of my mom's old players are now some of her closest friends. She gets invited to their weddings, baby showers and birthday parties, just to name a few. Her players have grown into some of the most amazing women who I still look up to today. My mom is so passionate as what she does and coaching hockey is not the only thing on my mom's resume.

My mom runs half marathons, is apart of our church, works out religiously at a local gym, plays tennis, knits, is on the Board of Directors at my brothers old high school, coaches, and on top of all that, she deals with our crazy family while raising three kids, a dog and two cats. My mom is an incredible women. She has shaped some many young girls into amazing women all while juggling the struggles of her everyday life.

I think the life my mom has impacted the most, would be mine. She loves me, and she definitely shows it. I used to get so angry at her for constant hovering or when she tries to live vicariously through me. I've realized now how lucky I am to have a mom who cares. I know she would do absolutely anything for me. She always puts a smile on my face and goes above and beyond. I am so beyond blessed to grow up having her as my biggest role model, on and off the field.

So here is a thank you to you Coach Dickey. Thank you for never walking away from the challenges of life, and thank you for touching so many lives.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally. It was an honor to call you coach and to call you mom everyday.