Growing up, you have been the center of my entire life. Everything I did was because of you, I chose you over everything else; you were truly what I woke up every day to love. Nothing in my life was more important to me.

No matter what life threw at me, you were there for me, and I never dreaded going to a practice or a game. I was filled with joy every time I thought about you. You were essential to my life as a whole, and are a major reason why I'm the person I am today.

I never would have expected such an impact when I first stepped onto the diamond as part of a team at the age of 3. I never would have expected that that first step would be so life changing. That first step led to 14 years of pure happiness, joy, and genuine love.

You led to a love I never would have thought existed. Through all the bruises, scratches, scrapes, scars, and even hits from an off-aimed pitch, you still own my heart and soul. You always have, and you always will. You are my sport, and though I have since hung up my jersey, you remain my sport.

You have taught me hard work, determination, how to stand back up, fearlessness, how to push my limits, and, most importantly, how to win humbly, and lose gratefully. These are lessons that have extended into every area of my life, and I will forever hold these values close to me in every single thing I do.

I never would have expected to spend so much of my life with you, but I am so grateful that I did. Every moment with you has been one I will always long to relive. We had such a horrible ending. We got torn apart, and it still tears me apart sometimes. You were my first love, and my first heartbreak.

Being a spectator rather than a player hurts me deeply, and I am always so nostalgic walking by a diamond, longing to be at another practice or another game, eating sunflower seeds and enjoying life.

You have been there for me as I grew, and experienced my entire childhood, start to finish. For that, I thank you. I thank you for always being there for me. I thank you for giving me so many memories that I will forever cherish. I thank you for shaping me into the person I am today. I thank you so much, because without you, I do not even want to know who I would be today.

Most girls think of shiny and beautiful when they hear the word "diamond," but I think of the complete opposite. Dirty. Dusty. Ready to rough me up. I wouldn't have it any other way.