Dear Softball,

I fell in love with you when I was just three years old, and honestly I've never looked back. Had you told my three-year-old self that I'd still be playing at 21 years old however, I'm not sure that I would ever have believed you. Growing up in the small town of Delhi, playing baseball with the boys was what I lived for. I'd spend countless hours in my backyard throwing and hitting by myself just so I could keep up with the boys on the field. It was when I switched to softball however, my life truly changed. You have made the past 18 years extremely difficult to say the least, but these years have shaped my life and truly made me who I am today.

My parents have made so many sacrifices because of you. I have never met two people who are more hard-working than they are. They have spent countless hours, working overtime, continuously saving up, just to allow me to follow my hopes and dreams. Because of you, softball, my relationship with my parents is so strong, and we have countless memories that we will never forget. You helped my parents to not only be my number one fans on the field, but also in life, and for that I am beyond grateful. You have brought me the greatest support system I could have ever asked for.

There have been so many moments I have missed out on throughout the duration of high school and college because of you. I've missed family reunions and dinners, weddings, concerts, and events, but at the end of the day you have given me more opportunities than most could ever dream of. There were times I dreaded going to practice with you because it meant I missed out on some pretty cool things with my friends. You also forced me to leave events early quite often because I would have to be up early for a game the next day. Looking back on it all now, I wouldn't trade any of my time spent with you for the world.

So many doors were opened because of you. So many laughs, so many tears, so many friendships, so many opportunities. You've given me the opportunities to play for so many different teams and organizations: Delhi, WBS Twins, Brantford Bobcats, Mississauga Tigers, Vaughan Vikings, Toronto Fastpitch, Bytown Belles, Whitby Eagles, to name just a few. You have given me the opportunity to not only represent my hometown, but my province with Team Ontario, and my country with Team Canada as well. This was my biggest dream come true.

Finally, you opened a door for a college education and scholarship to play you at the highest level. Specifically speaking, my college career with you has been the most difficult four years of my life, but it has been incredibly worth it. There are moments where I sit back and wonder if playing you was really worth all of the blood, sweat, hard work and tears, but holding up the horizon league trophy this year made that evidently clear; you were worth it, without a doubt. You allowed for me to experience something most people don't; an NCAA regional. Working hard beside 20 girls has taught me to believe in something and work for something much bigger than myself. You have taught me to be a great teammate, to set a good example, and to always lead with my heart in absolutely everything I do; this is something I will carry with me in life. With opening the door to college, you have allowed me to discover myself and what I want in life. So for these specific things and so so many more, I thank you.

Thank you for never failing to be my stress relief from school. Thank you for never ever failing to be a fresh breath in world full of chaos. Thank you for being one of the main reasons that my family is so close. Thank you for teaching me to work hard. Thank you for giving me some of the greatest role models in life. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to fail sometimes. Thank you for introducing me some of my best friends. Thank you for allowing me to represent my town, my school, my province and my country. Thank you for loving me, even on the days where I hated and wanted to give up on you. Thank you for allowing me to discover who I truly am. Thank you giving me some of the greatest memories. Thank you for allowing 18 years of dedication to end in a win. Thank you for allowing me to hang up my cleats with a ring on my finger. Thank you for placing the people in my life that have built me into who I am today. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you, softball, for everything.

Yours Truly,

Courtney Gilbert