This list is dedicated to all current, retired, or future gymnastics, to the coaches who teach them and to those who wish they could go back. After 14 years in the sport, I can truly say I miss it more than I ever expected. I love coaching and can't wait to get back to it this summer. This list is a medley of memories, ideas, and favorite things from current gymnastics, retired gymnasts, and those coaching today. Thank you to everyone who has impacted me in this sport since I was three years old. Thank you to my coaches for pushing me and my teammates for being there when I felt defeated. Thank you for the laughing and face plants, for the toe stubbing and crazy dance moves. I hope you all enjoy my list and that you share it with your coaches, students, and teammates.
1. Hearing music on the radio and imaginingg it as your future floor music
2. Watching "Stick It" 1,000 times and not getting bored with it
3. Having about a million shirts from States and never getting rid of them, even if they're extra small and from Level 4
4. The highlight of your summer was spending it at Woodward or IGC
5. You have a bigger collection of medals and ribbons than anyone you know, and half of them are attached to a teddy bear
6. Every sidewalk doubles as a beam, no matter how old you are
7. Getting a scrunchy with every leo and not getting rid of them, but never wearing them
8. Growing up stronger than half the boys in your class
9. Team sleepovers and wearing the host's leo the next day
10. Always taking pictures on the beach doing a handstand or a back tuck
11. Sitting in splits while watching T.V.
12. This is not cheerleading.
13. Always being able to do a handstand, and not understanding why it was so hard to other people
14. Giants are not monsters
15. You'll always remember your first kip
16. Although we seem like the most coordinated, graceful sport on the outside, we are the clumsiest and trip on everything. Mat, floor, air, you name it, we're going to fall over it right onto our face.
17. Being in the gym is addictive; you're probably there more than at your house
18. Some coaches would rather be in the gym than their real home
19. Once a gymnast, always a gymnast
