To the person who almost made me quit my passion,

Remember that time that you told me I wasn't good enough?

Remember how you told me that I wasn't trying?

Or that you asked me if I knew what I was doing?

Maybe you thought that I could take the criticism and that I had heard all of these comments before.

Maybe you thought that I brushed it off and acted like it was any other day.

Or that you motivated me to try harder and prove you wrong.

What you didn't know is I took it personally and cried.

What you didn't know is that I was trying my best and was having an off week.

And that your words made me nervous for the future.

Did you tell that to the other girls who did that bad too?

Did you tell my friends and teammates why I wasn't there?

Or did you not think it mattered to them.

I hope that you did tell them not to talk to me about it.

I hope that they had a reason for not comforting me about it.

So I didn't have to explain to them why I wouldn't be playing with them anymore after three years.

Unfortunately, I never tried out for the team again.

Unfortunately, I never came back to prove to you that I was capable.

And that it was my passion that you almost crushed.

Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I went back and proved myself to you.

Sometimes I wonder if you even remember who I am.

Or was I just another girl who wasn't good enough to your standards.

After that, I didn't talk to my former teammates because they were too busy with practices and games.

After that, I wasn't sure if I wanted to play anymore.

Or that I was even good enough to play without looking like an idiot.

When tryouts started again the next year, I didn't give trying out a thought.

When tryouts started again I was scared to try out again.

And I was scared to see you tell me no.

I used the excuse that I wanted to focus on my school work.

I used the excuse that I just didn't want to play anymore.

Realistically, I was embarrassed to play in front of people who were good enough the year before.

Surely I wouldn't make the team again.

Surely last year was a sign that I should give up.

And that I should stop playing something I love.

Then came the moment when I played again for someone else.

Then came the moment when I realized something amazing.

Something that I should have known from the beginning.

I didn't need your approval.

I didn't need to quit my passion.

Or that I needed to worry about my passion in the future.

It's funny how I thought I should quit something I love.

It's funny how I'm still playing four years later.

And that I have a scholarship for it too.

I'm happy I didn't let you tear me down.

I'm happy that I don't have to prove how good I am to you.

I just have to prove it to myself.