For the Love of the Game

        I never thought I’d be writing about this day. Or the day that I’m dreading that is going to happen in about 3 months. Soccer, to me, is easily the most beautiful game in the world. It draws thousands and brings people together for one common cause of winning a game. The players are tough, the plays are beautiful and when the game is played right, it is astounding.
        Growing up, I was around soccer all the time. Both of my older brothers played and my dad was the coach. I used to play with the boys teams all the time because I always wanted to be like my older brothers.  I can remember being in the backyard having my brother pushing me away and telling me to push him back so I can get the ball. It wasn’t until I got older, that I could actually knock him over.
         Playing when I was little was always fun. I played soccer with some of my best friends and I began to love it then. These were the days of orange slices at half time and the tunnel at the end of the game when you won from the parents. Sometimes, I wish we still had tunnels.
         In the beginning of high school, I made my parents buy me a soccer net. One of those really cool nets that bounced the ball back at you every time you shot it. From then on out, I had a routine that I would practice to make myself better. I would run everyday and then go out in the back yard and practice for hours. I simply just loved the game.
        During this time, the first women’s national team with Mia Hamm had kept me inspired to play soccer. These were the girls that I wanted to be. I used to have North Carolina signs all over my room because that was my dream. I also wanted to be a professional soccer player. I used to have school papers that had “Dream Job” written on it and on that line would be “Pro soccer player.” Like any other girl that age, I was a big dreamer. I still am but with a little more sense in me.
       People who knew me during high school know I gave anything for the game. My senior year when we lost in the State Semi-final game, I sat on the field for about an hour after, not wanting to leave. I stayed in my uniform that whole day. That’s how much pride I had for my team and for the game.
       When the time came to decide if I wanted to play college soccer, there was never a doubt in my mind. I wanted to follow my dream. I knew that playing at North Carolina would probably never happen but I knew I could play division one. And I did for two years until I found myself transferring to WT.
      This is when the whole game changed for me. I transferred because I loved the game so much that I wanted to play at a school that was a better fit for me. Never would I have imagine that I would be in the position I am today, having to fight for this last season.
       First day of preseason my first year at WT I tore my left ACL. Life was over as I knew it. I had to realize that this really does happen to people and that no matter how invincible I thought I was, I wasn’t going to be playing that season. For six months, I worked as hard as I could. In the training room day in and day out until I was able to step on that field again. Being able to play again gave me a new appreciation for the game.
       So I started my second year at WT. This year was a struggle because I knew I had a lot more to work for coming back from injury. About 10 games into this season, I tore my right ACL along with a lot of other things. Now my life was sure over as I knew it. This recovery has been the longest and the hardest. There hasn’t been a day that is completely pain free but when you’re a college athlete, I don’t think there really is. I played around with the idea of quitting. I think for a while I wanted to quit. In my mind though, I knew that I was stubborn enough to try and play one more season.
     There was one instance exactly that helped my decision. It was during the spring and I was barely able to run. Outside on the track, I was watching my team practice and we were helping out with a camp for little girls. I looked at these girls and realized they were me, years ago. They loved the game for the simplicity of just playing it and having fun with their friends. As a college athlete, it’s our mentality to treat our sport like a job, forgetting the fun and why we really loved the sport. As I stepped on the field that day with those girls, I knew I wasn’t quitting nor was I giving up in the fight to play.
       10 months later, I am one day from starting my last preseason not only as a college athlete, but as a soccer player. 18 years ago, I decided to play this beautiful game. So in 24 hours, full of a little doubt, a lot of nervousness and excitement , my last preseason starts. I don’t think it will be easy. Training twice a day for two weeks while fighting for a spot isn’t exactly a walk in the park but I know I have a goal in mind. I know God has given me the ability to come back and play and will place me in the right mindset. Playing for Him will be one of my greatest glories this season. Two years ago when I came to WT, I wanted to make an impression by playing. I wanted to finish out my college career not only ready for a real world and a job but also knowing that I didn’t give up my fight that 10 year old Julia would have wanted. I’m ready to push through the pain and to not give up this season. Three months from now, I will be a retired athlete and I want to look back and know that I didn’t give up. Fall seven times, stand up eight. This has been one heck of a journey as an athlete, and I’m ready to finish it the way I started, loving every second of this game and enjoying the time I have playing it.

Time Passes, Nothing Changes

            It's crazy to me that so much time can pass and so many things around us change, but at the same time, everything stays the same. You know those people who you could not see or talk to for months but then catch up like you saw each other five minutes ago? Well, I have been blessed with these kind of people in my life.
           I'm two days back from my trip to the northeast and I've fallen back into my routine of working and working out and getting ready for the semester ahead. In the last week I have traveled to New York City, Brooklyn, Long Island, Philadelphia and different parts of New Jersey.
          Two years ago, I lived in New Jersey and went to school at Rider University. When I left, I was worried and sad that I was leaving my friends behind me and a life that I loved there. Fast forward two years and it was surreal getting on the plane. Pulling into Newark airport, I was like a little kid in a candy store as a viewed NYC out of my window.

          In the last week I have seen friends who I haven't seen in years. Some have managed to make their way to Texas and others I have seen when I visit family in New Jersey but this trip was different. When you only talk to someone on the phone for such a long period of time, you forget what a special bond you had and still have. It amazes me that with each person I saw, it was like nothing had changed between us.



         The girl I've known since kindergarten and I were able to visit a new place together and make new inside jokes. My old college roommate and I still gave each other a hard time and told old stories, a few friends talked about our old coach and living on campus and one friend and I were still acting silly and playing pranks just like we used to. I am so thankful for all of these friendships everyday.
          I not only got to see people I haven't seen in years but places as well. I know that everybody has at least one place in their life that bring back those nostalgic moments. Those moments that you can almost live in when you go back. It's like hearing a song and being right back in that memory where you first heard that song. This was quite possibly my favorite part of the trip. These places hadn't changed either. I was still riding the same train I rode two years ago to visit my cousin and best friend at their school. Riding the same train into New York City just to walk around times square for a day.

       There was, however, the harsh reality of also trying to find my way around new things, like the subway. Let me tell you that I cannot tell you the different between the A, B, C,D , E ,F or G line on the subway, if those even exist. I also had to take a bus to Philadelphia where our first stop was the Liberty Bell concourse area and I thought I saw the Liberty Bell when in reality it was a church bell ( can you say blonde?) All of these new experiences made for new memories though.

       Although so much is different with our friends and places were live, nothing really changes when someone means so much. When you finally do reach your new destination, it's all about the new memories and the new people that you meet. I can say that with a year left until I venture into my  unknown future of the adult world, I am both excited and scared. I'm ready to make new memories but I love the ones I've already made.