Dear basketball,

I watched you today. The men’s and women's NCAA tournament has started and I see you across all kinds of TV channels playing live on the court. It made me miss playing you. Looking back I cannot thank you enough for the impact you’ve had in my life. Thanks to you I made some of my best friends. There is nothing like the bond you create playing with a group of girls for four years, some even longer. I have lifetime lasting friendships because of simply being on the right team with the right girls at the right time. You helped me to be brave and take chances that didn’t just carry out on the court, but that I also took into the real world. Being a part of this game I began to believe in myself. When I stepped onto the court, I was ready to play in the game and in life.

Basketball, you taught me how to be tough; how to push through and finish what I started no matter how hard it was. Now I am strong on and off the court. You showed me how important it is to work together with people and that every piece of a team fits together to create a whole. You taught me that is the only way you can be truly successful. You taught me when to be selfish and when to give all of myself to the court.

After playing for countless years throughout my youth and devoting my high school years to you, I learned how to let you go and that was hard. You were my life. I learned that my love for you was not just playing you, but knowing how you work and helping others fall in love with you like I did. You kept me out of trouble, you kept me sane, and you were my escape from the drama of high school life. I cannot express the gratefulness for the time I was able to spend playing you.

Then something amazing happened, I started working on the hands and feet of the game. This time, it was different, though; I wasn’t playing you. I was aiding in the program of you. I was the team behind the team making sure everything ran smoothly for the players and coaches. I was able to watch you from the sidelines on a new level and man was that exciting. I got to go to every SEC arena and watch you being played by college women’s teams. You once again became my life, you owned all of my time, but in such a different way. Yes, it’s been stressful and I miss dribbling that ball, shooting to score, and being with my team, but I have been able to gain something so much better: a family all about you. I have been all over the nation to all kinds of tournaments and met some really great people. As for that, I owe you. I always will.

You’ve helped me grow up and it all started before I can even remember. You allowed my family to become invested as well, only making us closer. I would not be the person I am today without you and for that, I thank you, basketball. I will always love you.

I have been seen toting around a basketball since before I could walk. I played all four years of high school ball. After high school, I have had the opportunity of coaching, assistant, and head, from a range of girls eight-years-old to 18-years-old. Now, I am blessed to be able to call myself an Auburn Women’s Basketball manager for two years strong. Not every moment has been easy but it has always been worth it. And with that, I thank the amazing game of basketball one more time for helping me become me.