Dear Coach,

I don't know if you'll ever appreciate what you've given me. My first day in high school, it was a mess. The redeeming part of that fateful day was the first MLFH practice I ever attended. I wasn't allowed to do anything because I obviously didn't have my paperwork in, but what I did experience that first day was a group of girls willing to open their hearts to anyone. Their arms were open, welcoming me from the first minute I stepped onto that grass, beaten-up field on the side of the school.

Since then, that group has become a family, tied to a team cemented by love and an all-around hate for "suicides." The girls I met on this team defined my high school experience. They made Halloween memorable every year (never did I think I would dress up as the Bridge Troll from "Dora the Explorer.") They've made bus rides the best part of my day, and team dinners my favorite meals of the week.

We've seen each other grow up, but also into something so much bigger than ourselves.

Dear Coach,

Thank you for not letting us see each other as anything but sisters for the last three and a half seasons. It would be naive and inaccurate to say it's been smooth sailing the entire time; sisters are built to be best friends, but also bound to fight like bitter enemies every once in a while.

I can honestly say that if I hadn't been on our field hockey team, I don't know who my best friends would be, I don't know what my greatest memories would be, I don't know what I would do with all that extra time (probably sleep.) In all seriousness, I don't know if I would look back on high school days with fondness without our hockey family. My "glory days" would be bare.

On the field I've grown, no doubt, throughout the last three years. However, that in no way compares the growth you've fostered in me.

Dear Coach,

The way you lead our team, it inspires us every day to believe in camaraderie and spirit and grit. You've taught us to work hard, but more importantly, work hard together. You've taught us that sometimes, Friday nights are better spent at a game than at a party, to multitask on the bus; you've taught us balance in our life, but also that sacrifice is sometimes necessary for the things we love.

Coach, on and off the field, every one of us on the team works our hardest. We work to make ourselves better and to make you proud of us as players and us as a team. However, I think it's safe to say, none of us work as hard as you do for us. We value and appreciate everything you've taught us endlessly. Thank you so much.

To me, those tan-lines mean so much more.

Love from,

Your athlete.