When my parents first met, my mom was engaged to another man. There was a clear and undeniable connection between them, but the ring on her finger (obviously) made everything ultra complicated. However, my dad knew she was the one. He says there was just something about her. She felt the same way about him. His famous line to her was, “That engagement is a sham, you're meant to be with me.” After months of talking, unsuccessfully trying to set him up with a friend of hers, and attempting to fight the inevitable feelings, my mom called off her engagement and started dating my dad. Long story short, they ended up getting married and celebrated 24 years back in October. I swear their love story could turn into a huge blockbuster hit. If it wasn't for my dad’s persistence, I wouldn't be here today.

When I was fresh out of eighth grade, gearing up to enter high school, I started to play volleyball competitively. I was scared shitless but I stuck with it and my passion for the sport I had been playing for 6 or so years prior, grew. As time went on, I started dealing with a HORRIBLE coach. He was just downright awful and he got exceedingly worse with every practice and every game. He played favorites. He played mind games. He messed with my feelings, but more importantly, with my passion for the sport that I love. Despite all the ridiculousness I had to ensue, I stuck with it. I fought my way through every practice and every game. I fought for time on the court. I fought to be captain. It was the best decision I could have made. Why? Because I learned so much about myself. I not only grew as an athlete, but I grew as a person. If I wasn't persistent with myself, I would be a very different woman today.

Persistence doesn't get enough credit.

“There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it is sent away.”

There is such beauty in persistence. Being persistent means going after what you want, and never giving up. I think persistence has a negative reputation because it can be viewed as relentlessness. You can't mistake being persistent for being relentless. The line may be fine between the two, but nonetheless, they are still very different. I want to encourage everyone to continue to fight for what you want. No matter how stupid, difficult, silly or trivial it may seem- it is clearly important it to you. You can't sacrifice what you crave out of fear of being relentless.Persistence is putting on a fight. Persistence is being true to yourself.Persistence is beautiful.