He's living my dream

I am the proudest sister in the world right now.

I have been playing soccer since I was 6. 10 years of sweating it out, fall, winter, and spring, running up and down fields, making passes, saving goals, and giving my all to this sport. I played mostly indoor for a Christian travel team in Ohio, where my team lost almost every game our first two seasons. Our third season we finally started winning, and got third in our district. I'm not the fastest in the game, nor can I do a bunch of crazy foot skills, but dang, do I love this game.

We moved to Virginia the summer before my 7th grade year, and my Junior High had a co-ed soccer team. So I tried out, made first cuts, but then ultimately didn't make the team. I ended up playing Rec ball then started playing on Fury, the local travel team, in the spring. I stayed on Fury for four seasons. The next summer, I tried out once again for the Jr. High team. I had an awesome try-out, and made every cut, except for the last one. Once again, I didn't make the team, and this was my last chance. Naturally, I was pretty upset. I sobbed all the way home. It was pretty rough. :(

Now, this story isn't about me, it is about Daniel. Though I will tell you that I stopped playing Fury, and I only play one season a year in the spring with my High School team now. I used to be really good, but I hardly ever play anymore, and one season with a AA school team just doesn't cut it if you are trying to be the best.

I'm extremely competitive, so I've always viewed soccer as "my sport" in my family. Sarah played for a couple of years, but moved on to other stuff, and I just stuck with soccer. But when Daniel and David starting playing soccer I was physced beyond belief! They are both naturals, sports are in their blood I suppose. So I have been rallying for Dan to play travel because I know he is good, and has potential to be even better. Rec is good for him, but in my opinion, if he is ever going to get really good, he needs to branch out. I feel the same way about Dave, he has a ton of potential, and if he genuinely likes soccer and sticks with it I would love for him to do travel also. I want them to have the opportunity I never had, to be able to do things bigger than Fury in Powhatan. No doubt about it, I had an awesome opportunity with Fury and was able to keep my skills up playing with them, but I never felt like I could do the bigger things I wanted to do, like Richmond Kickers or Strikers. I couldn't put that pressure on my family. Daniel and David could both be very good players, and I want them to have every chance to become better. I used to be good, and I'm not really anymore, because I've stopped playing. I don't want the same thing to happen to them.

So, finally I'm going to get where I'm going with this! That Jr. High soccer team I didn't make? Yeah, Dan tried out this week. I was so excited for him, and with everything in my heart I wanted him to make it. I wanted so bad for him to do something I could never do, and use what God gave him. I mean, come on, the boy scores and average of 2 goals per game in Rec! Well....... HE MADE IT!! My little brother, all 5 ft, 90 lbs of him, made the soccer team! He called me today while I was at the mall and said, "Guess what? I made the team!" I jumped up and down and screamed, in the middle of the store! I'm sure I looked like an idiot, jumping up and down with a huge smile on my face. I knew he could do it, and I'm just so, so happy and proud that he did. It makes it even better that I know he wanted it really bad, and he worked hard and got it!

I will be at every game, cheering my lil' bro on! I got to give him some advice before he went off to his first try-out on Monday, staying true to what my grandfather has told me time and time again: "No matter what, always give 110%." My grandpa has given me that advice before every try-out I have ever gone to, and even though I always roll my eyes a little and say "I know Gramps, don't worry I will," I have come to really appreciate that little piece advice, and I am glad I was able to give it to Daniel. He apparently took it to heart! Once again, I am so proud of my little brother, and I look forward to watching him this season!