To the coach who made me who I am,

Thank you.

I know you don't hear those words enough, and I know I should've said them more often when you were still my coach. But I'm saying it now, because my gratitude is endless and I could never say it enough. You deserve all the thanks I have to give. You deserve a thank you at the end of every practice, from every student, because no one should take your hard work for granted.

How could anyone take your hard work for granted when you do so much for your students? You put hours and hours into children that aren't yours. You sacrifice your time. You lose sleep. You travel all over the state. You deal with the not-so-pleasant side of people. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be a coach (although because of you, I plan on knowing one day), especially when things aren't going right. With pouting kids and complaining parents, being a coach isn't always a glamorous job. In fact, it's often not. Yet you do it anyway. For us.

I had no idea that when I got involved in this sport that it would change everything. It was just a hobby- just something to do with my time. But you changed that. You taught me how to be successful. You were patient with me when I was confused. You were hard on me when you needed to be without ever diminishing my spirit. You made me into a part of a team... into a part of a family.

You were always there for me when I was injured, when something wasn't going right, or even if I was just having a bad day. You allowed my passion to flourish. You gave me opportunities that I never would've had otherwise. You exposed me to an entire different world of beautiful people and beautiful things.

I wish I could somehow calculate the affect that you had on me; add up all the hours I spent with you, all the people I met because of you, all the moments where you were my comfort, all the experiences I had because of you, all the opportunities you gave me, and all the doors you opened. But I'm not even sure it would matter because the number might as well be infinite. I am forever changed because of you.

Plus, even now, I feel the effect you have on me every single day. I'm still using the skills you taught me. Not just in the sport, but in life. You taught me how to be patient. You taught me how to be humble. You taught me how to work with a team. You taught me how to be confident. You showed me what can happen if you put in hard work and determination. You gave me a passion, a direction, and a family.

To the coach who made me who I am,

Thank you.