Dear Soccer: Juliana Vazquez
4/21/2020 8:55:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Dear Soccer,
We met when I was just four years old, and from that moment on, I fell in love with you. At six years old you taught me about sportsmanship and that I had to shake the other team's hand even after losing. You naturally became my best friend and stood by my side for years to come. At age 10, you taught me about change. Moving to a new part of the country and plunging into the unknown was scary, but you were always there with me. You showed me that change can be beautiful. At 13 years old, you brought me true selflessness. I will never forget how mom and dad drove us four hours to practice three times a week and never complained. They showed me dedication, love, and sacrifice.
At 16 years old, you took me to Russia where I represented my country in an international tournament. We did not speak the language of other countries, but through our love for you we still communicated. You were the bridge between people and culture. At 18 years old, you took me to college. Being a student-athlete was difficult, but by the end, you taught me true hard work and discipline. At age 20, you surprised me with a new challenge… injury. It was a dark time in my life. I felt like you had forgotten about me, and I wasn't sure that we would ever be the same. But you taught me how to fight through adversity, and I was stronger for it.
At 21 years old, you taught me about leadership. Being a team leader isn't a title, it's a responsibility to put others first and do what is best for the team. When you do that, everyone benefits and success is realized. Here we are at age 23, and I still learn from you daily. I'm learning that professional sport is a business that requires thick skin and self-belief. When people grow older and move on, they tend to lose their passion. One day, I don't know when, we will have to say goodbye. But I will always be that little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back. Soccer, thank you for all the laughs, tears, challenges, and triumphs. You will always have my heart.
Love,
Jules
We met when I was just four years old, and from that moment on, I fell in love with you. At six years old you taught me about sportsmanship and that I had to shake the other team's hand even after losing. You naturally became my best friend and stood by my side for years to come. At age 10, you taught me about change. Moving to a new part of the country and plunging into the unknown was scary, but you were always there with me. You showed me that change can be beautiful. At 13 years old, you brought me true selflessness. I will never forget how mom and dad drove us four hours to practice three times a week and never complained. They showed me dedication, love, and sacrifice.
At 16 years old, you took me to Russia where I represented my country in an international tournament. We did not speak the language of other countries, but through our love for you we still communicated. You were the bridge between people and culture. At 18 years old, you took me to college. Being a student-athlete was difficult, but by the end, you taught me true hard work and discipline. At age 20, you surprised me with a new challenge… injury. It was a dark time in my life. I felt like you had forgotten about me, and I wasn't sure that we would ever be the same. But you taught me how to fight through adversity, and I was stronger for it.
At 21 years old, you taught me about leadership. Being a team leader isn't a title, it's a responsibility to put others first and do what is best for the team. When you do that, everyone benefits and success is realized. Here we are at age 23, and I still learn from you daily. I'm learning that professional sport is a business that requires thick skin and self-belief. When people grow older and move on, they tend to lose their passion. One day, I don't know when, we will have to say goodbye. But I will always be that little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back. Soccer, thank you for all the laughs, tears, challenges, and triumphs. You will always have my heart.
Love,
Jules
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