#20

Warning to all my friends and family: I'm already declaring tomorrow a personal day of mourning. 

I've grown up watching Abby Wambach since the first days of lacing up my cleats 18 years ago. I began my soccer career in Upstate New York, in the same city where my girl started her career, one that would later become history. She is and forever will be my favorite athlete of all-time.

I have been lucky enough to witness her game in-person several times, during her college career with the University of Florida, as well as on the US Women's National Team. There are no words to describe watching her play. Every time I watch her, I'm in awe of her athleticism. Yes, many of my guy friends joke about her masculine appearance, but I tell you what, Abby Wambach is one of the most fit individuals, man or woman, that I have ever seen. She is fast and strong and I most definitely haven't seen many people with a higher vertical than her on the soccer field.

Aside from her pure physical strength, Abby knows the game of soccer. She has intuition that cannot be taught, always in the right place and reading the ball and players. She also has the physical and mental speed that many opponents and spectators cannot catch onto. I often find myself trying to figure out how she made the play happen so quickly (and often times, this was after she had scored a goal). The numbers in her career don't lie; she's made her impact on American....wait scratch that: INTERNATIONAL soccer....and will remain a key figure in the beautiful game forever. 

Abby is the biggest team player that I know. I have never heard her speak about herself; it is always her talking about her teammates, her fans, her coaches, her friends and her family. She has inspired athletes and non-athletes alike, boys and girls, men and women. Abby Wambach is the kind of individual who when she speaks, you just want to listen to. 

"I've never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass fro someone else." ~Abby Wambach

I'm just another huge, crazy, obsessed Abby Wambach fan amongst millions in this world. I was so incredibly lucky enough to grow up as a young female soccer player watching this young girl become a woman and make history through the game that I love. Even after that love was taken away from me in my early retirement, I was still inspired by Abby to push through that injury, as well as life's obstacles. Abby Wambach is the kind of person you draw strength from, aspiring to be tough like her, whether it was physically, mentally, or emotionally. Hell, if Abby can play with a bloody head, her eye swollen shut, or a broken foot, than I can most definitely get through that test.

I'll definitely be crying tomorrow, for so many reasons (especially since I cannot be at the game). 

Abby, I hope you know that you've inspired this little 4 year-old soccer player. I hate that you will no longer be on the field but I look forward to seeing how you continue to share your passion with others. 

Hail to the G.O.A.T.!!!!

Besos,

Haley

"A Teacher Takes A Hand, Opens A Mind, and Touches A Heart."

Lately, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Advent, I've been reflecting a lot on my blessings and what I am grateful for. Since starting my first professional job, I've reflected a lot on how I got to where I am, and there is one group of people that keep popping up front and center: my teachers. Having lived with a teacher (Mrs. Finn), I've witnessed the life of a teacher firsthand and I know that every day teachers take their work home with them. I also know there are often times that teachers get frustrated and feel unappreciated, whether it is the lower pay, the trouble students, the upset parents, or the administration. Because of this, I felt it was important that I gave a HUGE shout out to all of my teachers and all that they have done for me.

Thank you to my first teacher, my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sheehan, for not laughing at me and encouraging me to introduce myself with pride as I constantly struggled to pronounce my name (I couldn't pronounce my L's so I used to say my name was "Harry" and would be terribly upset when people laughed at me). 

Thank you to my teachers 1st through 3rd grade Mr. Burley (and Mr. Osborn) for first sparking my desire to learn, whether it was the tombstone on the wall where we buried dead English words (i.e. "ain't") or reading about countries all over the world. I will also never forget that one of the things I looked forward to most for those 3 years were my birthdays, when I knew that I would come to school that day and you would bust out your guitar to play me any song per my request. 

Thank you to my 4th grade teacher Ms. Turner, now Mrs. White, for being my support system through a rough patch in my young years and showing me what strength is. You were facing a challenge yet no one knew your pain and suffering because you managed to come into school every day with a smile. Thank you for being tough yet warm. Also, thank you for being a good sport about all those pranks I played on you. 

Thank you to my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Baughman for going the extra mile. I was lucky to have you as a teacher, but also as a neighbor. There were many evenings that you would be taking your daily walk around our neighborhood, yet you always made sure to stop in our driveway and check-in on me.

Thank you to my Lourdes teachers and for supporting me through my awkward middle school years. Thank you for being present in the classroom, but also in the gym and on the field, as well as in church. Starting at Our Lady of Lourdes as a 6th grader at a K-8 school, you all welcomed me into the family. 

Thank you to Mrs. Elliott for making me the talented writer that I am today. 
Thank you to Mrs. Rutkowski for making me realize my love of Spanish cultures and ultimately deciding to make a career out of that passion. 
Thank you Mr. Pietrus for always making the classroom a fun environment and lightening the mood whenever you noticed that your students were having a tough day.
Thank you Mrs. Schade for ensuring that I don't hate math and for making sure that I understand the process of problem solving instead of just the final answer.
Thank you Ms. Almond for teaching me about life and pulling me in from recess when you knew I needed to cry my eyes out and talk to someone. Thank you for giving me direction and thank you for serving as my basketball coach and for calling me out on being soft when I wanted to quit.
Thank you to Mr. Johnston for all of the cool science labs we did and allowing us children to partake in dissections.
Thank you to Mrs. Getter for always giving me another challenge. I tended to finish projects (especially typing assignments) much sooner than the rest of the class, yet you were always prepared to have me do something else; therefore, I was never bored in class.
And thank you to all of the OLL teachers who I did not have directly, yet was able to bond with simply because we shared a part in the OLL community.

Thank you to all of my Saint Mary's teachers because without you, college would have been a helluva lot harder. Thank you for attending my sporting events; there was never a moment that I had a game at which several of you were not present. To those of you I did not have the pleasure of being in your class, thank you for still being a support through my high school experience, whether it was my junior speech or running into each other in Smedes.

Thank you to Dr. Esthimer. One of the greatest gifts was the gift of you teaching me to think deeper, no matter what resulted. Thank you for always asking me "why?" and making me explain myself in more than one sentence.
Thank you to Mr. Beckford. Although our time was short, you still managed to be a resource for me even after your retirement and gave me plenty of secondhand wisdom.
Thank you to Ms. Gillory for helping me strengthen my arguments through words and pushing me to be better when you knew I did not give my best effort on an assignment.
Thank you Mr. Hoskin for dealing with my football jabs in math class, as well as me talking in class often. Also thank you for serving as my adviser and solving my problems quickly. And thank you for being at all of my home basketball games. 
Thank you Mr. Edmonds for making me actually want to learn about government and politics, as well as introducing me to one of my favorite shows, "The West Wing". Thank you for also being at all of my home basketball games and being one of the best cheerleaders.
Thank you Profe, for being tough on my Spanish grammar and making me speak up in class. Before your class, I was scared to have you as my teacher, yet after, I left more confident in my language skills. Also, thank you for being an example that no matter how rough your night was, it is critical that you show up for work the next day(you champ, lolz). 
Thank you Mrs. York for being the biggest smile. Also, thank you for understanding what I was experiencing as a high school girl, whether it was a soccer loss, stress from too much homework and college applications, or the latest breakup with a boyfriend. And of course, for sharing your love of Spanish.
Thank you Dr. Greenwood for making Physics fun and never having a dull moment in your lab.
Thank you Mrs. Floyd for always being a positive support, providing more than enough help when you noticed I was struggling, even if I was too stubborn to ask for it.
Thank you Mrs. Williams for being my moral support through my Junior Speech, both as I wrote it as well as while I delivered it. Thank you for being that support during one of the most difficult (and most emotional things) I have done.

Thank you to my professors at CUA. Although we might not have shared as many personal experiences, I am still grateful for the lessons you shared with me. Thank you for always having an open door and responding to my questions and fears, even after hours. Thank you for serving as references for me as I applied for jobs and thank you for being support and lightening your workload when you knew I was writing my Thesis. 

Thank you to my teachers in Argentina, for forcing me to use Spanish and for sharing your love of Argentina. Thank you for being at teacher, as well as a liasion, during my abroad experience, whether you were telling us the best bars for futbol or restaurants for dinner, or lecturing us on the perilous cycle of politics and economics in Argentina. Thank you for always understanding although many of you did not speak English; thank you for showing that compassion and inspiration goes beyond language.

Thank you to Father Bashista and Brother Mannes, serving as my leaders of my Confirmation class this past year. Thank you for teaching me that it is more than okay to doubt and reflect on the things we are skeptical of, and thank you for teaching me the importance of loving even in doubt. 

Thank you to my best friend, Hayden Rizer, as she pursues her career to become a teacher. Thank you for being a light and inspiration, clearly following your passion and being an angel to so many young students.


And most of all, thank you to the most important teacher in my life, Mrs. Finn. I could list all of the things you taught me, but I would probably have to write a novel as long as The Odyssey. Therefore, I'll keep it short.

I can personally say with complete conviction that all of these teachers have affected my life very directly. You all have came into my life, and remained in it, because you truly believe in your students. You all have met me as a student, yet now know me as the adult that I have become. Unlike many students, I am still in communication with all of you, whether it is on Facebook or running into you while running errands. I have even been lucky enough to share drinks with you (how many students can say that they have that kind of relationship with their former teachers?! Haha!) 

Thank you to all of you for still holding an active interest in my life and adventures. You guys are always up-to-date on what I have been doing and continue to show a passion for supporting me, especially as I transition into this thing called the real world.

Thank you to any teacher I may have left out and thank you to all the teachers that I have not met. You are equally as important in this crazy thing called life. 

Although I have tried to give you all a shout out, there are no words or gifts that could possibly reflect my gratitude. So hopefully on this dreary Monday, this brief thank-you will make you all smile. If there is one thing I want you to remember the most it is that you have made a HUGE difference in this student's life, and I am more than certain that you are shaping other students daily. Any student would be lucky to have you and I wish that every student had the opportunity to have you as their teacher. 

Besos,

Haley

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." ~Henry Brooks Adams

Love your baby girl

As graduation nears (12 days but who's counting), all I can think about is how to thank my parents for everything they have done for the last 22 years, but it's impossible to put it into words. They must have done something right because their firstborn child is graduating college with honors and she turned out ok. For anyone who knows Mama Finn, she is ALL about thank you notes and letters for every occasion so in an attempt to put into words how much Mama and Papa Finn mean to me through this thing they call "growing up" here's an open thank you letter:

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you for pushing me so hard, but thank you for being soft when the time called for it.
Thank you for all of the love, but also the tough love when I needed it.
Thank you for playing taxi for 22 years, 10 hour car rides in 1 day, running from one soccer field to the basketball court, and never missing a sporting or school event EVER.

Thank you for almost never saying no, and only saying no when you believed it was necessary.
Thank you for never calling my ideas crazy and for supporting all of my endeavors, including ICEE stands for the neighborhood, running a soccer clinic on my own as a 10 year old, or writing letters to famous athletes in hope for a return letter.

Thank you for not shunning me when I got a tattoo, and thank you for actually liking it and supporting that decision.
Thank you for supporting my fashion choices and for making subtle hints when I looked silly (i.e. cute flower sundress with Timberland boots and high socks).
Thank you for teaching me to be adventurous and try new things.

Thank you for letting me choose what I wanted to do, whether it was violin, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, Girl Scouts, whatever. And thank you for running me around to each and everyone 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Thank you for never pushing Church on me and for allowing me to find my own way.

Thank you for letting me make mistakes so that I could learn from them.
Thank you for letting us grow up with a cat and dog, a gift many children do not get to experience.
Thank you for perfecting the art of selfies with me.

Thank you for driving me up and down the entire East Coast to look at colleges.
Thank you for teaching me to always keep doors open and that it's better to be in a position to say "no" than wonder "What if?"
Thank you for taking my side when the boys teased me, but also thank you for telling me to suck it up and stop whining and tattling because that solves nothing. It made me stronger.
Thank you for making me feel beautiful, inside and out.

Thank you for making fun of me and teaching me to live a life full of humour and not to take everything so seriously and to heart.

Thank you for always being my Valentine's/New Year's Eve dates.
Thank you for not buying me everything I asked for and teaching me the value of hardwork. I've learned to be more responsible with my finances and appreciate the things I do buy.
Thank you for making me work from an early age.

 

Thank you for putting a solid roof over my head and a full pantry and refrigerator for 22 years.
Thank you for working to provide for me even if it meant you would have to work 2 jobs.
Thank you for putting me through private school education even when things got tight.
Thank you for supporting my college decisions, and not influencing my decision to attend CUA in any way.

 

Thank you for setting a great example of what true love is supposed to look like and setting high expectations for relationships.
Thank you for supporting my picky eating habits and although it drove you crazy at times, thank you for never hating me for it.
Thank you for supporting my major decision in college and allowing me to pursue whatever career I want.
Thank you for providing advice when I need it, but also recognizing that sometimes I just need silence while I ramble on.

Thank you for listening for 22 years as I yelled, cried, laughed, and dropped a few F-bombs. And thank you for not interjecting when I did so.
Thank you for letting me be independent and grow as an adult, but thank you for still being there when I need grocery money or Mama or Papa Bear to step in and bear claws when necessary.

 

Thank you for letting me deal with problems on my own without stepping in immediately.
Thank you for being super strict with me growing up (all my friends remember the texting when I leave and texting when I get there right??)  and holding me accountable for my actions when I strayed.
Thank you for being a best friend and a drinking buddy, providing more than just parental guidance but true friendship as I've matured.

Thank you for taking my cell phone away when I texted too much to force me to put more focus on my studies.
Thank you for taking a genuine interest in getting to know my friends and having an open door to the Finn house.

Thank you for supporting my decisions even when you know it is probably the wrong one.
Thank you for being there for every important event in my life even if it means driving 5 hours for a 2 hour event.
Thank you for surprise cards to remind me you are thinking of me and love me.
Thank you for your undivided attention and love even when you welcomed twin boys into the world.

Thank you for teaching me responsibility.
Thank you for teaching me "want" versus "need".
Thank you for teaching me to drive in the back of Broadmoor.
Thank you for all of the lazy movie nights.
Thank you for trusting me to study abroad in another hemisphere for 6 months.
Thank you for learning how to text and send me funny messages.
Thank you for being awesome and the best parents around.

Thank you for being a proofreader when I need it.
Thank you for the countless hours spent on college applications and personal essays.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of making connections and first impressions.
Thank you for making us such a close-knit family.
Thank you for pulling me back down to reality when my head is in the clouds or elsewhere.
Thank you for the unconditional love you continue to give me even on my bad days when I'm sure you want to smack some sense into me.
Thank you for being you and for making me who I am and do more than prepare me as I step into the scary reality of the adult world.

I am sure there is so much more to say, but this is only a start. I love you Mama Finn and Daddyo and can't wait to celebreate graduation in 12 days because it is just as much as celebration for the two of you as it is for me!



LOVE YOU MUCHO!
-Haley Brooke aka Brookster aka Sunshine aka HKixx

Besos,
Haley

 

What to do when your Best Friend is in Alabama

I read the following letter online and it really hit home. Hayden Brooks Rizer this entire post is dedicated to you and our crazy friendship.





Dear Soul Mate/Mind Reader/Other Half,

This sucks. I thought I would be used to it by now, but I'm not. It has been a few years already, but I still wish we had ended up at the same college. I know we are both having the time of our lives, and the times when I get to see you are so special, but sometimes I wish I could just jump through FaceTime and give you a huge hug.

When I first met you in high school, I never would have imagined that we would be best friends. After we realized that we were practically the same person, we were inseparable. From passing notes in class, to complaining about the food every day at lunch, and going to countless high school parties, we took on the world together. We were partners in crime, and I never thought there would be a time where I did not see you every day.

But we grew up. We graduated high school. We -- well, I -- bawled like a baby and we hugged our teachers one last time. We cherished our final summer together before college, which was one of the best summers of my life.

Freshman year passed. Sophomore year came and went. We saw each other on long weekends, holidays, stalked each other on Facebook, and had five-hour phone conversations when we had the time. Like a long-distance relationship -- face it, we are practically dating -- we made it work. It was not always easy. I made countless new friends when I joined a sorority, and you got involved with so many organizations on campus that you also had a new friend circle. But we never forgot about each other or the bond we share, because that bond is like no other.

This summer, I realized how much we had grown up. We outgrew most of the activities we used to do in our hometown, but we still did them anyway, for old time's sake. We realized how much we meant to each other, and we both cried when the time came to go back to our respective schools.

Recently, I've been missing you more than usual. I hear a throwback song on the radio and it reminds me of our ratchet red solo cup days. I pass a restaurant we used to frequent and I am brought back to our first grown-up dinner dates downtown. I buy an outfit for a social and remember dressing up for our crazy Halloween parties. I like every single one of your pictures on Facebook. I see you making memories as I am making mine. But I am so happy that we are still best friends, despite the distance.

You don't know every detail of my life anymore, and I might not know your latest gossip. But, with winter break just around the corner, I am sure our days will be filled with playing catch-up and sipping bottomless gingerbread lattes. Even though we don't see each other every day, I just wanted to remind you how special you are to me. Keep rockin' your school and having the best time. You better have good stories for me, because I have plenty for you, girlfriend!

Love always,
Your bestie

  

"Even though we change and we're off finding our own place in the world, we know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not still friends."

With our birthdays only a few days apart and sharing basically the same initials, we were bound to be best friends. It has absolutely been killing me and I often find myself crying on the long drive home (because DC Traffic sucks and you know I get road rage) because I can't curl up and watch Netflix with you and I can't be there for you when you are going through this rough patch in life.

However, as you know me and the Finn blabber, I mean daughter, that I am, I have decided to make a list of all the reasons I love you and why clearly we are destined to be soul mates for life regardless of where we wind up. Enjoy the tears boo because I'm crying as I write this, but let's be real, these are all spot on. Buzzfeed and all those other sites don't have ANYTHING on us. LOVE YOU

• I love knowing the fact that no matter the time of day, you always answer my phone calls or call right back. And let's be real, a lot of those might have been at 1:30 am, 2:30am, 3:00am (yikes) because when I'm the drunk, emotional white girl, talking to you makes everything better regardless of the situation.

• Also, speaking of phone calls, talking to you on the phone just immediately makes me more comfortable. I can't count the numerous times I made those late night walks and talked to you the entire way and whether it is a long chat or a quick 2 minute chat, you always make yourself available and talk regardless of how pointless or how long the conversation is. 

• You are the only person who can name and number every single one of my obnoxious laughs and you don't tell me to shut up when 50 of them come out at once.
• I can't stay down around you because you know the PERFECT throwback song to play to turn my frown upside down.

• Every single car ride, rain or shine, is with the windows down, blaring music and screaming along. Poor pedestrians along Wade Avenue and in Cameron Village were probably scared for life. The poor Jeep....
• The rush of exhilaration we felt as we made our weekly Char-Grill Runs (and of course, being the perfect best friend that you are, you never judged me for the insane amount of food I consumed) and rushed back to campus trying to beat the gates.
• We can't be seen in public together. People just don't get us.

 

• Regardless of how hectic our lives get, you have never ever missed a birthday or holiday and send the most thoughtful unexpected gifts.
• You know about every boy I have ever "talked to", how crazy or stupid they were, and could immediately tell the second I got annoyed and tired of them.
• You know about my family and how crazy we are.
• You even know about those insane philosophy professors who always seemed to make me cry and yet you reminded me that they were probably just jealous because I was smarter than them.
• Our first time getting drunk was together off of one Cherry Coke and Malibu at a lame excuse for a bonfire.
• You have chronicled every embarrassing moment that has ever happened to me and have been witness to at least 80% of them.



• Our iMessage chats constantly look like this:

 



• We've perfected understanding the time difference that separates us (only an hour but still, it's drastic).
• Any time any past name or acquaintance comes up on social media we immediately call or screenshot each other to fill in the other and sadly, most of the time, the other already knows (LOLZ)
• We've both seen each other make good friends at our colleges that are forever apart and have even been fortunate enough to meet some of them. Yet I'm jealous they get to spend weekends with you and Netflix and cookie dough dates and not me. But least most of them are good stand-ins for me, lezbehonest.
• Too often we have to schedule a time to talk but the spontaneous chats are the ones I love most.
• You are the only who has truly ever appreciated and respected my crazy, hectic schedule that is go go go and yet you somehow decided to still be friends with me and find plenty of time for our dates.
• Throughout all of high school, you never missed one of my home games during volleyball, basketball, or soccer season. Even when you hated the coach, I knew I could always count on you to be there on the bleachers cheering obnoxiously and embarrassing me. But also being the first person to come over and squeeze me and say your classic line "good job girrrrrrrrrl. looked good out there!"
• You always give me good advice and usually the advice I honestly need to hear, yet you never judge. You know me inside and out like no one else and you can always tell me what is right for me, whether I realize and admit it or not.
• I can honestly feel how proud you are of me and all my accomplishments and the adult that I'm becoming. Yet you still encourage my immature side when necessary.

 

• You were my go-to North Hills dates, always making fun of the teeny-boppers.
• Every big movie experience we shared together (Mean Girls, Wedding Crashers, etc.)
• Ugly isn't even a word in our dictionary anymore because we've seen each other at our absolute best and our absolute worst (thanks to Snap Chat)
 
• You embrace my awkwardness.
• Too many times we took control of each other's social media accounts, often hilarious but sometimes upsetting.
• You are so passionate and inspiring to watch Hayden. Children love you and you love what you do. You're going to do great things in this world.
• Also, pups. You make an excellent and patient mother.
• Whenever we have a rough patch in life, the two of us somehow always manage to make a joke of it, and maybe that's what's kept us on the right track over the years.
• Remember the thousands of Microsoft Exchange emails we used to send on the Smarie's tablets during class? (Points?! OOPS!)
• Whenever I have an adult decision  to make or bill to pay, you're my go to at first. Especially when it comes to complaining about our cars.
• You still chose to be friends with me even after witnessing freshmen year Haley, middle part, braces and all. To this day I still have no idea why but I'm so lucky you hung around.

 

• Pretty sure we call each other first before we call mom to let her know we're sick and refuse to leave bed.
• Whenever I feel down about myself, whether it's my weight, classes, or the ever present question of what the hell am I going to do with my life, you're always inspirational and push me right back on my feet.
• All of our texts are NOVELS not blurbs because we both always have too much to say.

Through all the insanity and uncertainty, I know our friendship is pure and true (cue the water works). Our friendship doesn't need the 24/7 conversation, and seeing each other every weekend. There are probably a million more things I could say and who knows, maybe they'll be an edition 2 to this blog but I wanted to take a little time today to let you know I'm thinking of you bestie and I love you and am always here for ya no matter the distance or situation. Call me, beep me, if ya wanna reach me. 

 

 

Besos,

Haley 



Take me out to the ball game

(Nationals Stadium, Washington, D.C.)

To some, baseball is a boring sport. It's not as fast-paced as many other sports and the games tend to lag on at times. For such a long game, there is often not much excitement: no slam dunks, no crazy upper-90 goals, no between-the-legs moves, and definitely no jumping up and down in the stands.

But for me, baseball has always been a part of my life and I will continue to be a baseball fan for as long as I live. For me, this sport is about tradition. As they say, baseball is America's past time. Yet many people, including myself, find this hard to believe at times when comparing the games to NFL game highlights or the NCAA March Madness tournament.

I grew up with younger twin brothers, who grew up playing baseball. If I had a dollar for every baseball game and tournament I travelled to with them as a kid, I could pay off all of my student loans.  For me, I never griped about following them across the state to one AAU tournament after another. I loved the game and I loved watching them play. Dylan and Taylor always had such passion when playing and somehow always managed to make the games interesting, whether it was a killer slide into second-base, getting hit by a wild pitch, or hitting a homerun; I was never bored.

(Dylan sliding into second during one of his high school games)

 

I've also always been impressed with the skill and precision required in baseball. When batting, timing is everything. When pitching, accuracy is everything. If you miss this precision, the game is ultimately affected whether you intended it to be or not. For years, I Tried to go with my brothers to the batting cage to prove that it was easier than it looks, that anyone including a scrawny skinny girl could hit a ball spot on. Well, I was proven wrong and don't worry, D and T will be sure to let anyone know that I suck at baseball. Lesson learned: it's not as easy as it looks and requires skill, dedication, and focus in order to develop and grow as a baseball player.

(Taylor at-bat)

Baseball is one of those sports that the players get better with age. This is because they have had the time to perfect these skills. Throughout the teenage years, I really enjoyed watching the boys develop into these magnificent baseball players, perfecting their throws from third to first base and choosing when to wait to take a strike before swinging. As I said, to someone who has not watched endless amounts of innings, baseball would appear boring, yet the more I Watch, the more I love the sport. I can appreciate the little details that make the game interesting and perfect. I also love the moments in which the game can so quickly change in the bottom of the 9th inning.

 

Also, do not even get me started on the beauty of baseball fields. Of course not all of the millions of fields I have been to are perfect, but there's something captivating about the green outfield and the perfect clay diamond. Besides the fact that I have found that many baseball fields make for perfect Insta-pics, the field adds to the atmosphere of the game. I might be a little biased because Nats stadium is so beautiful, especially the way it sits on the water, but I think this holds true to so many baseball diamonds.

 

(Nationals Stadium, Washington, D.C.)

I hate that baseball gets recognized as a boring sport and is placed subordinately to football and basketball. Don't get me wrong, I love those 2 sports as well, but there is just something special about baseball that will remain in my heart forever. And I love all of the players; there are so many class acts in the sport that are such positive role models for young aspiring athletes (aka the greatest #2).

(Derek Jeter, obvi)

So in the spirit of Opening Days this past weekend, I encourage everyone to go to a baseball game in this beautiful spring weather, whether it's your younger sibling's high school baseball game, a minor league game, or an MLB game.  There is just something special about a spring or summer day, some popcorn and hotdogs, and a nice cold beer that mystifies the game of baseball for me. There's something indescribably different on a baseball field than the sideline of a football game or courtside. Maybe it's because I grew up a Houston Astros fan, maybe it's because I've converted to Natitude, or maybe it's because of growing up and witnessing two stellar baseball players (aka the twins), but whatever it is, baseball is one of my many loves and for this reason, those who know me know that it isn't rare to catch me in a ball cap almost all the time in the spring and summer.

(Drew's first baseball game; I think I converted him)

GO NATS!
Besos,
Haley