A letter to my girls,

Here is to the feeling you got the first time you sassy walked on to that 42’ x 54’ blue mat covered in bobby pins and glitter spray. Here is to looking up, into your future, to bright lights that glistened off the glitter on your eyes and the red lipstick that coated your lips. Here is to you smacking your best friend's butt, wishing her good luck, as you competed by her side. Here is to you setting your formation for your opening, as you as take in one last big deep breath. Here is to the shimmy you slightly give yourself to remind yourself what you are made of, and that this is the moment that would change your life forever.

I’ll never forget the feeling I had after the first time I competed. This moment was my defining moment. I knew cheerleading was it. Cheerleading, was the love of my life. Cheerleading was my passion. What most people do not understand, is the purpose in cheerleading. The purpose of: the sacrifices, the blood, the sweat, the tears, the glitter, the bows, the injuries, the endless eight counts, the passion, the determination, the bond between you and your teammates, and the amazing life lessons, is the heart and soul of cheerleading. The sport of cheerleading, in a whole, is the climax. The climax, is the entire journey. The purpose of cheerleading, is to become a better you. Cheerleading should shape you, and become who you are. Please never let go of it, because it will never let go of you.

At the end of your season(s), when everything is coming to a close with the girls who have become your family, you will realize your climax is perhaps not just achieving the goals you had set. You realize the climax was everything in between. The practice that you had a little too much fun with your friends at, that caused extra conditioning. That practice you face planted 100 times, but landed that skill the very next time. That practice when you stood in the corner thinking your body cannot take much more, but you last through the last hour of practice better than ever. Those practices when you scream at your teammates to do better, and they scream back at you. Those practices when you realize the work is worth it, and you are capable. It’s the journey. It’s the bond created between you and teammates, knowing no matter how hard you fall or how bad you feel, someone will always give you a hand to lift you up and kick you forward.

Do me a favor, and cherish these moments. Before you know it, everything will be over. Cheerleading will always be a part of you, but not always in your present life. So, I hope you run a little harder next time you run laps for a stunt fall. I hope you push a little harder next time you do not throw a new tumbling pass. I hope you stand up a little faster next time you fall. I hope you squeeze that foot a little tighter next time you base your flyer. I hope you pull your body positions a little fiercer next time you fly. I hope you chuck that basket a little higher. I hope you enjoy every moment when you step into your Nfinities. I hope you enjoy teasing your pony tail and spraying it rock hard with hairspray. I hope you enjoy that moment in the warm up room when you put your hands on your hips and know you have nothing but confidence. I hope you enjoy screaming eight counts when the music shuts off. I hope you cherish cheerleading, for all that is it and all that it teaches you.

Our team has been through hell and back, but it only makes this journey and success more incredible. We are 28 girls, of pure love for this sport. Nothing can stop us, and do not let anyone stand in our way. Work a little harder for the girl standing next to you, and spin a little faster in your tumbling for your coach who would do anything to be on that mat again. Be a leader for the little girl on the other mat aspiring to become you one day. And most importantly, be great. Be fierce. Be amazing, because the little girl you once were would expect nothing less from you. I love you Weather Girls. Make me proud.