It’s been almost two years since I walked off of the softball field for the last time. I finished my softball career after playing for 12 years, playing in the state tournament my junior year, and winning the district tournament my senior year. Over all I would say I had an amazing, successful time in the sport. But no amount of time or success would’ve been enough for me when the time finally came to hang up jersey and lay down my glove for the final time. I’m not sure I could truly put into words what it felt like to know that I would never competitively play the sport that I had dedicated my entire life to. I gave a part of my heart to the game of softball and I never got it back, even after it was over.

Though I miss the game tremendously and it makes me sad sometimes to think about my time playing the game, I wouldn’t give up those memories and the lessons the game taught me for anything. I learned what it meant to play for the sake of the team and not only yourself, to sacrifice yourself in order to make sure the team succeeded. I had a coach who inspired me to be the best I could be every time I stepped across those lines because giving anything less than my best was cheating not only myself but my teammates. That is one of the longest lasting lessons I’ve taken away from any experience I’ve had up until this point.

Softball, the people I’ve played it with, and the people who have supported me on my journey have made me into the strong and independent woman that I am today. I wear every scar I earned on that field as a badge of honor, and I remember everything the game gave to me when I look at them. It breaks my heart just a little every time I think about the game and the passion that I left behind. The game gave me so much more than I could’ve ever asked for so I truly believe that it was only fair that I gave a part of my heart to it in return.

So for the girls out there who are just starting out in the game or who have been playing for years cherish absolutely every moment. You will miss every practice swing, every lap around the field, and every step on home plate long after you move on from the game. Don’t ever take it for granted. It’s hard to leave something behind that so massively changes every part of your life like the game did for me.