For the past three years, I have been part of the rowing team at the University of Florida, and I absolutely love it. However, just a few short years ago I was dedicating my time and effort into another sport. I played soccer for eleven years, and even though I haven't played it for the last few years, I still miss it.

It seems unreal when I think about the fact that I will never put on a number 4 jersey and walk onto a field ready to play a game again. Sure, I might join a pick -up game every once in awhile, or maybe even join an adult league at some point, but it will never be the same as playing with my best friends and practicing every day.

I would give anything to tape up my favorite shinguards, and slip on my lucky cleats, and walk onto the field to give my everything for ninety minutes. It would be nice to end another stressful day at soccer practice where nothing else matters. Going back to a place that I could just focus on something I knew and understood would be incredible.

Soccer saw me through a lot, as anything you've been with for eleven years would. There were good days with wins, slushies, and smiles all around. There were also bad days with losses, long talks, and tears. Soccer also saw me through different break-ups, bad test grades, and fights with friends. When I was a teenager and felt like I didn't belong, I could always go play soccer and know I belonged.

Through the good and the bad, I learned so many life lessons- like how to treat others and how to deal with losses. I'm glad that I was able to grow up around many different kinds of players and coaches. I learned to be open-minded and accepting of everyone. I also learned to deal with different coaches both good and bad.

I am so grateful for everything soccer gave me over the years. I miss it so much and hope to get the chance to coach at some point in the future. I would love to influence players' lives just like so many of my coaches influence mine. I was so blessed to get the opportunity to play such an amazing sport for so long, and it will always hold a spot in my heart.