Not every girl grew up playing with Barbie dolls and ponies and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I, personally, spent my days outside, playing sports with my dad, or under the hood of his truck, learning how to check the oil. Although I don't regret a single second of my childhood and believe that it shaped me into the person I am today, there are definitely embarrassing things that still haunt me from my tomboy phase. So, here's to all of the girls who look back on their tomboy phases and cringe. I hope my experiences let you know that you're not alone.

Wearing sports bras, running shoes, and spandex in so many inappropriate situations.

It's okay. We all had those days in middle school when we wore nice shirts with our sports bra straps showing or Nike spandex under dresses to awards banquets. Honestly, comfort was key back then and we all kind of wish that it was still socially acceptable.

Wearing your practice gear to the store with your mom after practices.

I can't even count the number of times that I wore my cleats for hours after practices because my mom wanted to go to the mall. I wish I could say that I stopped wearing them around places because it was embarrassing, but I actually stopped because it wore down the studs on my cleats. Now, whenever I see girls at stores with volleyball knee pads around their ankles or shinguards still attached, I laugh because I feel their pain.

All of your family pictures feature you wearing Nike shorts and t-shirts with your hair in a ponytail.

We all have that one picture in awkward, plaid Bermuda shorts and running shoes on family vacation. When we went to visit the Mayan ruins I remember my mom telling me that I would regret wearing a soccer t-shirt in all of the pictures. I was convinced that I never would, but you know how your mom is always annoyingly right . . .

Begging to join the guys' team, instead of the cheer squad.

In pick-up games, the guys give you no respect until they realize you are equally as competitive as they are, if not more so. It was typical to be unreasonably angry when they said that they were going easy on you.

So, looking back at your tomboy phase, I hope that you laugh as hard as I do because, while it was embarrassing, it was well worth the lessons.