Most people don’t know how I became a part of Soccerplus; how I didn’t deserve that privilege, but it was given to me because someone believed in me, more than I believed in myself.

In January of 2014, I had hit rock bottom. After a career-ending illness that not only ended my soccer career prematurely, but also ended my “academic” career as a teacher, and changed the course of my life as I knew it, I was lost. At the lowest point, I contemplated if I truly wanted to live anymore. I had no path, no plan, and every dream I had had, was shattered. On a whim, I emailed a man whom I had met twice, but both times had said to me “Welcome to the Soccerplus family, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know”. So, there I was, in quiet desperation, emailing Ben Pinkerton, a man I barely knew, saying, “What do I do with my life now?”. I was expecting some philosophical, crazy email back, but what I got was the well known “soul grab”… ”you’re going to come work for me this summer, I am going to put you on staff, help you get a graduate assistant job, and we will figure this out.” Right there, that’s when my life changed forever.

That summer, I went in to SoccerPlus not quite knowing what was going to happen, or what I was getting in to. But, I was embraced into a family that will forever hold a special place in my heart, and whether they know it or not, they rebuilt me. I was mentored to learn how to coach, and even more so how to lead. They taught me little intricacies from the tone of my voice, to the way I walked off the field. They taught me to coach, and I fell in love with my new profession. They gave me hope for a future, that I didn’t think existed. A summer would come and go, and I would email Ben that fall telling him thank you, not knowing that those correspondents would be some of our last.

That next year, Ben would leave us, after a courageous battle with cancer. Here I was, new to this family, but the man that had given me a chance when I didn’t even think I was worth living, was gone, and I, one of the few times in my life, did not know what to say. But there was this family, ready to mourn as one. We embraced each other and got through the good and bad of it, as just that-- a family.

A summer later, and we would be back on the field, doing what we did best, and making our angel in the sky proud.

This is my thank you letter to SoccerPlus. It is long overdue, and no matter what words I put down, they will not be enough. This is not propaganda to come to the camp, this is not my testimonial, this is not an advertisement. This is a true statement, a heart-driven letter of what this family has given me, and the thank you that needs to spread through thousands of miles and numerous people.

People always say, we should write a book of all the stories that make up SoccerPlus. I honestly believe if someone ever wrote it, no one would believe it. These stories are more than that of crazy ideas and exhaustion, they are stories formed from love and passion, determination and pride. They are stories that have made it through decades of camps, and God only knows how many staff members. They are stories of late nights and early mornings, of sore muscles and broken bones. But ultimately, they are stories of love.

It’s loving what we do that makes the weeks as incredible as they are, and it’s the heartfelt moments of getting each other through that last PT drill when you think you are going to pass out. Its months in between camps, but nothing changing. And it’s a bond that lasts through the chaos and what have you of the off season.

It’s knowing that no matter what life throws at me, I will always have a family in my corner.

My favorite weeks of the year aren’t Christmas or Easter, they are the weeks of SoccerPlus camp. I know that in these weeks, I will not only smile and laugh, but I will also be tested and asked to be more than I thought I was. I know I will stay up a little too late, and hurt a little too much, but I will also laugh and smile more than ever.

During these weeks, I will make friends from far and wide, and be given the amazing privilege of mentoring the next generation. I will learn people's stories, be reminded how we each travel our own path, and I will make bonds that are deeper than words will ever be able to describe. SoccerPlus camps have embraced me, loved me, mentored me, and rebuilt me.

So thank you, to all of you, who have been a part of my short journey with Soccerplus that I hope continues on for years. You all have impacted my life on a level that you could never imagine. Thank you to my campers for pushing me out of my comfort zone, for working as hard as you do, and for appreciating the little moments with me. Thank you to my fellow staff members for believing in me, for laughing with me, for learning with me and for listening to me vent come October. Thank you for the goosebumps that came as you cheered me on to make the “impossible” save possible during a demo, and for always giving me the opportunity to grow as a coach and a person. Thank you for being my mentors, my friends, my confidants, and my family. Thank you for keeping Ben’s memory alive and his legacy shining through your actions and through the way you live your lives. Thank you for accepting me, and for never letting me settle for being “good enough”. But most importantly, thank you for the moments and the bonds that can only be described as “SoccerPlus.”