It all started with swim lessons at a very young age where I found my love for the water. Learning doggy paddle and basic backstroke was not enough, I wanted to know all of the strokes. And that's when I found you, swimming, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I gave you a lot, but you gave me even more.

The countless hours spent at practice and long weekends at meets taught me discipline and dedication which will last a lifetime.

Thank you for the times I got my butt kicked. The tears of frustration when I couldn't seem to reach my goal over and over and the heartache it caused. Thank you for allowing me to be motivated to push myself even harder and to realize the value of humility.

On the contrary, thank you for my victories. Especially the ones that came after failing over and over because those were the sweetest. Whether it was qualifying for a big meet or simply achieving a goal time, I'm glad I got to see my hardwork pay off.

Thank you for the friends I made. Thank you for giving me people that pushed me to be a better swimmer and a better person. People that could made getting up at 4:45 worth it and could always make me laugh. Their accomplishments were just as enjoyable to witness to me as my own were. They taught me how to be a supportive part of the team and gave me so many memories. Those memories and people will always be apart of my life, no matter where it takes us.

Thank you for my coaches. They pushed me, supported me even when I failed or wanted to quit. They were such influential role models and I love the relationship I had with them.

Thank you for making my parents swim parents. I'm glad someone forced me to go to practice when I didn't want to and always had a towel for me after a race. They learned all about you and I'm glad they were apart of our journey too.

And as the years went by, I knew nothing this good could last forever, we had to go our separate ways.

However, every time I smell the slightest hint of chlorine, all of the memories come rushing back. I find myself looking at the medals on my walls or in a box and reminiscing the sweet moments and hardware that lead me to them. I find myself missing my alarm going off in the early hours of the morning, the days I was so sore I felt like I couldn't move, the hours upon hours staring at that black line on the bottom of the pool.

So to the sport that I know is so under appreciated by the world, I thank you for being such a huge part of my life. And who knows, maybe one day I'll be the swim parent waiting at the end of the lane with the towel for my child. I'll be the one driving them to practices and meets and I'll know that my child is so lucky to have found you in their lives too.

Thank you,

A Swam-mer