Paige is a very special person. As I type that I can hear her mom chuckling as she reads it. She, like all of you, has dedicated her life to a sport she fell in love with at a very young age. Where we’re from, most people can’t dedicate enough time to read the newspaper everyday, let alone something as time consuming and costly as soccer.

First thing is first, she will spit out complicated stats about teams that play an ocean away in a heartbeat, but it will take her a year to decide what she wants from McDonald’s (it's just burger or chicken!!!). That’s okay, give her some time, I am sure she’s just still sad about Steven Gerrard retiring.

When she gets hungry, she will probably eat anything (but she doesn’t really like Chipotle). Feed her Panera Bread and she’ll be content. Don’t look at her weird when she immediately rearranges her sandwich, she likes things in a specific order and they only give you a tiny piece of the roast beef stuff which she’ll say is the best part. Paige will totally judge you if you don’t pick baguette, but chips are acceptable too. Never pick apple, there is no going back from that.

Make sure when riding in her car, if you have the responsibility of being DJ, do not play rap. She doesn’t like it. Pick John Mayer. (Bonus points on my end if you talk about Taylor Swift throughout the whole song). One of her favorite songs is “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. I think that is solely for all the science references.

Paige might get hurt during the season, but she’ll never tell you, unless you’re close. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the loop on that piece of information, you better make the same sacrifice I did and steal her some supplies. I feel that’s the true test of her friendship. If you really are someone she can trust, you’ll wrap her hand in the woods behind the field, and not tell anyone...until the next year.

I have had the privilege of knowing and playing with her for 3 years. Now I have to let go and watch her make new friends with you guys, who I hope are good to her. Remember, no matter where I end up in proximity to her, I will still drive to fight you if I have to.

Best Wishes.