College....Really: 2013

At 6:30 today I will be attending my final athletics banquet as an athlete. For many people graduation is the moment when it really hits them that they're about to enter the real world. They are faced with the reality of no longer being a student and becoming, or at least trying to become, a functional member of society. For me, this moment is tonight. Maybe it's because I know I still have 3 more years of school, and very challenging classes to boot, but I can't help but feel strangely sad about tonight. Sure, most of the event is sitting around listening to other coaches of other teams for which I didn't even play talk about how fabulous their team was, but it's more than that. In essence it is my official initiation into the statues of NARP (Non Athlete Regular Person).

For as long as I can remember my life has been defined by my athletics career. As a middle and high school student, I didn't spend my weekends at the mall or the movies. Most of the time I was in some other state playing in a soccer tournament. When other kids spent their summer at the beach, I got to play soccer in Sweden with my club team. I got ready for Junior prom in the backseat of a Ford Taurus because I was coming back from a tournament in Philly. Despite missing out on some things, I wouldn't have traded any of this for the world. Being an athlete and playing on my team allowed me to forge friendships I know will last forever. My high school friends proved to be amazing and supported me, they even continued to invite me out even though they knew I'd have soccer. Because of soccer I was able to form an incredible relationship with my dad, and some of my best memories are of us spending long hours in his truck driving to tournaments. To this day, whenever we drive any sort of distance our co-piloting skills are insane.

In college, I watched as my friends attended frat parties and went out with their fake IDs. I spent my friday nights chugging water and doing homework. I chose to go to a small school and missed out on the big school college experience. Still, my friends from high school supported me. My new teammates became my family. Again, I wouldn't change any of it. I know for a fact I would not be where I am today had I not chosen to play sports in college.

I also wanted to thank everyone who supported me along the way. Dad, you have always been there not only as a coach but just as a parent. You dealt with me on car rides home as I cried, ignored you, or talked game strategy. You always allowed sports to be my choice but taught me how to truly commit to something. Even outside sports, you always supported my decisions. Every time my LSAT score increased, you pushed me to do better, just like you always have. I know I could not have done any of what I have accomplished without you. Mom, thank you so much for always being there as a support system. Even when you didn't know all the rules, you were always the loudest fan. I don't know how, but you managed to deal with me when I was a horrible teenager, but I think we came out of all of it with a stronger relationship. No matter what I thought I would be doing in life, you always assured me I could do anything, making me believe it myself. I can not imagine where I would be if it weren't for you, and for that I will always be grateful. Michele and George, I love you both as if you'd been in my life forever! You have both become vastly important parts of my life and in my journey to become who I am. I am proud to say that you are both a part of my family, and can't imagine it without you. Lauren, I can't even begin to describe how important you've been. Besides, I need to save some material for my wedding speech! I'll just say that I know I would not be half the athlete I am now without you pushing me. You were my biggest fan and were more excited than I was when I got into UB. I love you and can't wait to stand beside you on your wedding day! LB, Corey, Spencer, you guys are the best brothers anyone could ask for. Each of you has been so important in my life and my athletic career! You have been nothing but supportive and awesome, even using illegal air-horns during games.My TCHS friends, there aren't enough words in the dictionary to express how much I love you girls. Timm, Somehow you have put up with me for almost 3 years now. You've dealt with preseason Alli, LSAT Alli, and Finals Week Alli, all of whom are not so fun. Still, you've supported me and made all of the work worth while. You deal with my excessive amounts of laundry and sometimes incoherent rants about school. You keep me sane, and if that isn't love, I don't know what is! My teammates, every single one of you is amazing! I love you.

I guess what it all comes down to in the end is that we don't get to be kids forever. I knew one day I'd have to say goodbye to sports, at least in the competitive sense. Somehow this post has turned into a sappy tribute to the important people in my life. Perhaps that's what I should take with me out of all this. Even though I am saying goodbye to athletics, the impact it has had in my life will never leave me.

and a ton has changed. I know, I know, I'm the worst blogger in the (relatively short) history of blogging. But, in my defense, I'm a notorious procrastinator so really you shouldn't be surprised. To detail everything that has happened since last year would be impossible. I'll try by best to sum up. First, I crushed the LSAT and this fall was officially accepted to the University of Baltimore School of Law. I survived my final soccer season with only a few pretty intense cases of turf burn. I turned 21 and had an amazing time out at the bars with my awesome friends. Fun fact: I ripped the butt of my pants on the way into Powerplant and spent the entire night with a ginormous (clearly not a real word...don't care!) rip down the right buttcheek of my jeans. It was slightly ridiculous! My sister is getting married in 24 days (holy crapp!!) and I am beyond excited. I broke the my college's lacrosse all time scoring record and our team made it to playoffs! Basically, it's been a crazy senior year but I wouldn't change it for anything. I graduate in just a few short weeks and am more than ready. It's hard to be too excited, though, knowing I will be starting school again in August. I'd say I'm excited for that but really I'm just terrified. I'll add some pictures so you can get an idea of at least some of the stuff I've been up to!