No Regrets
I keep telling myself one thing: If it doesn’t hurt, it
wasn’t worth it. These wise words
of a former teammate and coach are so simple yet so full of meaning. You work for something your whole life,
with everything you have to give, and suddenly it’s gone. This is a very difficult thing to
endure. Sport is so much more than a game. It’s filled with passion, emotion, life lessons, and most
importantly, relationships. That
same former teammate has taught me that what we get out of all of
this, out of soccer, out of being part of a team, is friendships,
relationships. It’s not really
about the soccer. Soccer is a
beautiful game, but we ultimately get so much more out of it than a winning or
a losing record.
It wouldn’t be fair if I hung up my cleats and gloves
without a proper thank you. The
amount I have grown in the past 3 1/2 years is unreal. I’ve grown as a soccer player, but more
importantly as a person. There is a place for everyone, but I never thought God
would bless me with the absolute perfect fit. From day one I felt at home, and Auburn has evolved into
just that, my home.
A wide range of thank yous is more than necessary. The
Auburn Soccer Program is a group of people I have learned to love with my whole
heart, and these people will forever be a part of my life. I am still so sad knowing that my time
here is done, but I have comfort knowing I call these people in 10 years and
ask a favor. I have grown from an
awkward, insecure, wide-eyed freshman into a still awkward, confident senior
that appreciates life and love so much more. If you ever question whether there really is that
“family” atmosphere at Auburn that everyone talks and tweets about, there is.
I’ve encountered a wide variety of beautiful people since I
began this journey. I was
fortunate to find my best friend in the world. If I am confident about one thing in this world, it’s that
we will still be best friends when we are sitting in our rocking chairs at 80
years old. There are a few special friends who have been through more in the
past few years than most people can imagine. More surgeries than you can count
on one hand, more heartbreaks than seem fair. But day after day these girls keep climbing back up to the top,
against all odds, when most others would quit. I admire these girls and their character more than they
know, and I am so very thankful for their friendships. There are teammates that have come and
gone, and each one is as special as the next. Each one of these girls mean so much to me, and I hope our friendships last forever. The number of coaches – whether it be head, assistant,
volunteer – have each taught me something different about soccer and about
life. That sometimes, soccer isn’t
the most important thing and that sometimes, you just need a good laugh. Whether they were laughing at me or with me (I honestly never knew), a laugh is a laugh. The support staff that this university has continues to make every athlete's time here more fulfilling because they are good people who care. From administrators to trainers to strength and conditioning, and so many more, these individuals can make even the worst days feel not so bad. My seniors. Each one I have a special relationship with that I cherish. A best friend, a travel partner, a secretly happy nurse, a little spark plug, and the leader of the wolfepack. My forever senior class that I love so much.
And of course these girls.. a cohort full of 25 girls with all different experiences and backgrounds, but with one common passion: teaching. The support these girls have given me through my senior season is unreal! I love this group and am so excited about these girls making a difference in so many classrooms throughout the country (and even the world). To my cohort girls, thank you!
Finally, my family. The traveling, the emotions, the heartbreak, the happiness. They have been through it all with me and I couldn't ask for a better support system to belong to. From day one they were as excited as I was to be apart of this Auburn Family. I love you.
