The summer before I started the first grade was the very first time my twin sister and I ever kicked a soccer ball. I played soccer every fall and spring from then on. Believe me when I tell you my name wasn’t showing up on the Women’s National Team roster next to Hope Solo, but I had some skill as a goal keeper. I even played the game of my life when I made an appearance on a club team for a summer.
However, I never made it on to my high school varsity team. I tried out my freshman and sophomore years and was put on the junior varsity’s second team both years. It was a bit of a blow to my pride. I felt like the little sister that tried to hang out with an older sister and her cool friends, but wasn’t wanted around. I did, however, learn a lot of new skills throughout those seasons. After having a blast with my JVII girls two years in a row, I basically decided soccer was no longer something I did for myself. I didn’t lose my love for the game, but I wanted to take a look at what life outside the four corners of the field had to offer. It wasn’t until this decision to do something for myself that I discovered a love of words, art, nature, and animals... The list now goes on and on! I focused more attention on my English classes because I was actually interested in learning the difference between things like irony and sarcasm. Once college came around, I began taking courses like Grammar and Non-Fiction for fun. I went out on a limb and took photography and drawing classes and discovered I can draw more than just three-fingered stick figures.
Because I never made the varsity team in high school, I discovered myself. I was able to step outside my comfort zone and do something without my twin for the first time. That first terrifying step enabled me to willingly try new things and accept the fact that I don’t always know what I’m doing with my life, but I know sometimes when you embrace change it hugs you back.
