Dear Soccer,

At four years old, I was running around my yard with a ball that came up to my knees. Back then, I didn’t know how important soccer would be in my life. I had no clue that I would spend the next fourteen years of my life playing this sport. You were my first love. And I’d never thought there would be a time when “I can’t, I have soccer” would not leave my mouth. But now that it’s been two years since I’ve heard my name called out of the loud speaker and taken the turf field at my high school for the last time, it’s occurring to me that I never took the time to thank the sport that raised me.

Thank you for teaching me about commitment. Two-hour practices. Ninety-minute games. Five days a week. Four seasons a year. This was my life for fourteen years. It wasn’t always a good relationship (sorry for almost quitting that time in eighth grade), but you taught me to never give up on something.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of hard work. Sprinting until coach blew the whistle and small sided games weren’t always my favorite thing but I gave it 110 percent. I’ve learned to give it my all whether it’s just practice or an actual game.

Thank you for teaching me to get back up. I’ve had my fair share of injuries and I’ve failed on the field just as much as I’ve succeeded. But soccer taught me that no matter how many times you get hurt or knocked down, the most important thing is getting back up.

Thank you for giving me confidence. It takes a lot to get out on the field and be the last defender between the other team and your goalie, or to be a forward on a breakaway down the field. So thank you for making me believe in myself.

Thank you for my teammates. During our pre-game Subway runs, team dinners, and bus rides, we became a family. We celebrated our wins and cheered each other on. And even though it’s been a long time since our No Shin Guard Fridays, these girls are still so important to me.

But most of all, thank you for the time of my life. The wins, goal celebrations, bus rides, and practices — I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. You gave me a group of friends that loved the sport just as much as I did. I had the time of my life chasing a ball around a field. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss playing. Thank you for so many memories.

Yours Always,

A Former Soccer Player

P.S. I still have those awful tan lines.