Dear Wesley,

Wow, let me just start with that two years ago I came here not knowing anything about Delaware, Dover or Wesley. I was literally living by the seam of my pants. I had no idea where the journey would take me, and honestly I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for. I came here because senior year of undergrad had fallen apart, and I wasn’t quite sure what my life was supposed to be. You offered me the opportunity to move closer to home, still be on the soccer field, and get a masters degree for free without ever having to step foot in to a classroom. So, at the time it seemed like a perfect situation; take two years to figure everything out. Never in my life could I have predicted what came next.

In two years, I found some of my closest friends, I found my purpose, and I learned more about myself than I could have ever imagined. I won’t say it was always easy, because you challenged me to my core being, but as the old cliché goes, I can say that it was worth it.

You were not what I expected, not even close. You were rougher around the edges than I could have ever planned for. But you also bring a sense of community that lets you know that you are a part of something so much bigger than myself. You welcomed me with open arms in to a family that I will forever be proud to say I am a part of. You gave me the chance to help develop a program that I am forever indebted too and you helped me discover a path.

The memories that I will have from here are poignant and will forever hold a place in my heart. They are memories of growth, of learning, some of heartbreak and a lot of success. There are moments everywhere I turn from the buildings I “taught” in, to the field I cried on next to my players. I can’t walk anywhere in this town without having some kind of memory. There’s the half marathon I forgot to train for that took me through the community buildings, the press box where I spent some of my grandfather’s last moments and I have some of my last happy memories with him, McGlynn’s where one too many times there was one too many drinks, the grass fields where I cussed through too many practices, and the roads that cleared my mind on various occasions. There are the Wesley colors that each hold a meaning to me beyond what anyone could imagine. The blues that show the strength and perseverance of myself, my friends and my players, and the whites of struggle and determination worn by all.

There is Wesley West, where my journey began and my person was challenged at every turn. This is the building where I was forced to dig deep, and figure out exactly who I was. This is the building that gave me a mentor who has taught me and given me more than I will ever be able to say thank you to for. This is the building where I celebrated after unbelievable wins, and cried after heartbreaking losses. There’s college center where I taught my first class, and took my senior pictures, and unfortunately paid my bills. There’s Drass field where I truly discovered my path and realized exactly what I wanted to do with my life.

I’m not sure how to say thank you. How do I say thank you to you for giving me the highest highs and the lowest of lows? How do I say thank you for my mentor, for my kids, for my moments of greatness? How do I say thank you for giving me a path? How do I say thank you for challenging me at every turn? These are questions I will never be able to answer but I will continue to try to as graduation day quickly approaches.

I cried one too many tears, hurt too many times, and was betrayed possibly once too many, but I also learned so much. You taught me who I am, and how to draw that line between professional and friend. You taught me how to persevere through family tragedy and to keep going when everything felt like it was falling apart. You taught me that not every tragedy deserves a tear, and not every great moment deserves a celebration. You reminded me of the greatness that comes because of hard work, and how all of the moments, good and bad pay off in the end. You taught me that loyalty goes above all, and family means more than I can ever imagine.

Our time is up together, but I am forever grateful for my time as a wolverine, and for my time wearing a jetpack. This experience has been one for the ages. As I begin my next journey, I will take the lessons and memories you gave me, and I will use them to continue to grow and succeed on the path that you began. Thank you for all you’ve done and for all you’ve given, but unfortunately my time here is up, and it is time to move on. I will never be able to say thank you enough, but I love you, and thank you, and I will never forget my time as a wolverine.

With sincere love and gratitude,

Erica