Goaaaaaaaaal!

I think people might have liked me more than I give myself credit for, but I never felt like I fit in when I was a kid. In elementary school I was pretty insecure and it took me until I was about 13 years old to finally begin to understand how to operate socially. I feel like I have been excited about chasing after the hearts of people since the day I realized I could. Now I just wait for opportunities.

Highschool was magical for me. To be with 2000 people every day was undeniably one of the greatest gifts of my life. What intrigued me the most was how different people are. Sure, everyone is different in personality, but what caught my attention was how people fit into different social categories. People defined themselves by the things they participated in, and the lifestyle they chose to live. I was determined to break those social walls.

My whole life I have found absolute joy in bringing people together. It is my passion and it is my gift. Nothing is more meaningful to me than introducing friends, who wouldn't otherwise know each other, and giving them something common to strive for. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of some really cool experiences, including weekly meals with 30 guests, Sunday night dinners at Old Chicago, and random events including slip and slides, bbq's, glow frisbee, etc. I love having fun. I love having fun with people I love. I love having fun with people I love, having fun with people that I love.

It was a blast to watch a community form around all of this, to watch people band together and go beyond events; they started doing everyday life together. But even this created a clique and left a lot of people out. Some people simply didn't desire to be a part of it, and that is okay.

Soccer wasn't something I was ever interested in growing up, but I got to start playing with middle-school friends at an after school program and decided to start a soccer team for adults. This has become the absolute joy of my life. Sure, soccer is a blast. I love the game more than any other sport (to play). Yes, running is fun and free, and competition is addictive. All of these are reasons to love soccer, but that isn't enough for me.

People are why I love soccer. And while, given my health issues, it may seem unwise for me to play as much as I do, it is the best thing for me. I have gotten to see people come together who would never be in a room together, and laugh, and play, and compete. Not only is everyone in the same room, but the group is fighting for a common cause. Nothing brings people together more than that. Those who would never come to a bbq, will come to a soccer game. I have gotten people to play that I haven't seen since sixth grade. I have witnessed people with very different walks in life, celebrate together, cheer each other on. It is absolutely beautiful. We even have a teammate that I met at a breakfast restaurant that I frequent.

Being on the field is fun, but if you see me on the bench I am just as happy. I love watching. I love sitting in the presence of the people I love, together fighting for something. I love watching us win together, and lose together. So when you hear that I am on four soccer teams don't worry about my health or an addiction problem. It isn't for soccer, it is for people. People are a worthy cause, and I will give all of myself away to see the boundaries of love transcended for the people in my life.

Come watch us play.