You should know I didn’t just quit, I grew.

The day has to come for everyone when they choose to move on from what they love. Mine came when I chose to quit college soccer, the sport I had been playing since I was three. For seventeen years I gave my life to the game, and I would not change a single second of it. Soon soccer became the biggest part of my identity. It consumed my life and I put my entire heart into the sport. I missed countless school dances, birthday parties, family reunions, and nights out in college and do not regret it. I loved the game and I still do. Yes, I gave it up and some may call me a quitter, which I suppose I am; but they should know when I quit I grew, in more ways than one.

I grew as a child.

Nothing hurt worse when I quit, than the disappointment I brought on you. Believe me, I know you stepped aside and allowed me to make the choice on my own and I appreciate that; but I also know inside it felt like you were quitting too. For seventeen years you were at every game, drove me to practices, washed uniforms, paid tournament fees, and made soccer the greatest part of my life. When I won you celebrated and when I lost, you felt it as much as I did. It became part of you too. I have grown as your child since I quit. I’m away at school, but I call more. I guess there is more than soccer to talk about now. I visit you now more than ever, and every time I drive away from you I want to turn back. I enjoy spending time with you, and we don’t fight about how I played. I traveled on a trip to Florida with you, only this time I wasn’t fixated on my phone or wishing I brought a friend along. I have learned to make time for family, and became more appreciative of the support you have always given me. I grew as your child.

I grew as an adult.

Quitting meant growing up and growing up meant becoming a responsible adult. Although I love the financial support you had provided me, I am thankful you forced me to support myself when I quit. I got a job outside of being a referee, and learned money management after blowing my first two paychecks before paying my rent. With a job came taxes, and your right, they are not fun. Doctor visits and workout times were no longer set up for me, and I was forced to make phone calls and plan my schedule on my own. The 5’oclock news is now part of my daily routine and I now understand the war in the Middle East. I found time to learn how to change my flat tire, get my own oil changes, and I am fully aware of the changing gas prices. I have grown into a responsible adult.

I grew as a student.

As an athlete, my grades were never bad, but they could have been better. Sure I had a good GPA, but since quitting my grades have never been better. I have made the dean’s list every semester, and I actually have taken the time to work with and get to know my professors. I worked hard enough to earn three academic scholarships, none of which you knew I applied for until I received them. Any free time I had used to be spent on homework as the rest was filled with soccer, but now I have had to learn time management to balance free time, activities, working out, work, and school. My grades and connections at school have only helped lead me to the career opportunities I am stepping into today; none of which I would have got if I didn’t grow as a student.

I grew as a person.

Without soccer and teammates I was forced to make new friends, (although I kept my old ones). I no longer look down on the students who aren’t athletes and interested in the same things as me, because now I am one of them. I have learned to branch out and not care what others think, because quite frankly their opinion of me is none of my business. I have become more independent and I am not afraid to voice my opinions, because I actually take time now to learn the facts to back them up. For example, in the summer I started a job over 2 hours away from home, knowing no one and it turned out to be the best decision of my life. We now disagree on presidential candidates and that’s okay. I take time to visit my friends, and realize now how important family is in life. I am no longer focused on being cool or noticed, but staying true to myself. I have grown as a person.

I grew in my college experience.

For the first time, I got in involved in something other than soccer. I joined a club on campus centered around my major, competing in business competitions. Guess what? I qualified for internationals two years straight, and without that, I never would have been able to afford to see Washington DC and Orlando while in college. For the first time ever I had made money to afford a spring break trip, and yes, they are crazy. However, without that trip I may have never learned how to book a vacation or what my alcohol tolerance level is. I joined intramural sports teams and for the first time ever, I was forced to realize sometimes the game can just be about having fun. I was able to start a relationship with someone I hope to end up with and this time, finding time for each other isn’t a problem. I made new friends, and yes I have partied. But I also have built my resume up and worked a job on campus. Quitting helped me grow in my college experience.

Don’t get me wrong quitting was hard, and by far the hardest decision I have ever made. For a week I cried to myself, and my voice was shaking when I called the coach. By no means should you ever think quitting was easy for me or I do not miss it. I miss playing soccer, because I love the game, and all of my teammates and coaches along the way. They became my family. I can honestly stand here now though and say, I am confident it was time. I am so proud of who I have become and no doubt soccer is a big part of that, but so is everything that came after it. I have loved the experiences I have gained, the grades I have earned, and the jobs I have worked. It has been two years now and I know you miss it too. However, I hope you have become proud of me for everything quitting has allowed me to become, and can see now I didn’t just quit, I grew.