There are a few very special people in your childhood who mold the kind of person you're going to be in the future. Sure, your parents, your grandparents, an aunt or uncle, and maybe the occasional favorite teacher. But even then, teachers are only in your life for a few years max. There's one special person who helps shape you. While not related by blood, they're certainly family. They watch you grow and are there for you every step of the way. You trust them, your parents trust them, and they trust you to give them your best. Our coaches are some of the most important, influential, and strongest people we know, and I want to thank mine for everything that they have given me, aside from the wins, despite the losses, and because of their impact on me as a person.
Thank you for teaching me how to follow the rules. When I first came to you, I didn't know how to accept discipline. I thought that by giving me guidelines to follow, especially ones that didn't make sense to me, was your way of showing dominance over me and the team. It took me a while, but I learned that you were teaching me very valuable life lessons: patience and discipline. You were teaching me that sometimes things don't go my way, but that's not what's important. What's important is listening to instructions and doing things your way, because that is what will make the team better.
Going off of that, thank you for making me do things your way, the right way. Coach knows best. You've been around this sport a few more years than I have, and you know it better than I do. Your opinion became invaluable to me when I stopped making excuses, started listening to what you were saying, and became a better athlete as a result. There were times when I thought doing it the easy way would work better. Now, I learned that nothing's better doing it the "easy" way; it's more worthwhile doing it the right way.
It sounds silly, but thank you for making us do things over and over and over again. I can't tell you how many times I heard "last time" and you made us do it three more times after that. Whatever it was, that last time wasn't perfect. So we did it again. You wouldn't let us settle just because time was up, and now I don't settle just because the job is done. Unless it was something we could be proud of, you wouldn't let us quit, and I truly appreciate the sense of perfection you instilled in our team.
Thank you for never letting my fear hold me back. There was a rough patch, I think we'd all agree, when I was scared, and I was letting my fear get the best of me. You knew I was better than that, stronger than that. You believed in me when I couldn't even believe in myself. Yeah, I got mad at you when you pushed me past what I thought I was capable of, but if you hadn't, I would never be where I am today.
Thank you for forming the strong, outgoing, "unreal amazing" people I got to call my teammates. We would have never been the same team without you as our leader. I think I can speak for all of us on that. You were the reason behind the wins, the medals, the jackets, and the championships. We did it for you, to make you proud, because you deserved to see just how capable you made us.
Lastly, thank you for continuing to be such a guiding light in my life. You've made it clear that you're going to be there for me. I promise, your guidance and support will never go unappreciated, and I'll never forget to credit my coaches for making me into someone I can be proud of.
