End of an Era

This past week were the soccer regional championships with the winner earning the right to go and play in South Carolina next month for the national championship.  The 12 state champions from the western United States descended upon Phoenix and its 110 degree temperatures for some really great quality soccer.  Both my sons were playing as each of their teams won the Arizona state championship in their age group.  My younger son’s team lost in the quarter finals, but had already qualified for Nationals through another tournament.  Pierce, my older son, had to win in order to advance.   Unfortunately, they lost in the semi’s, to the eventual winner, Nevada, 1-0.  As some of you know, I take pictures at the games.  A lot of pictures.  This does a couple of things for me:  A) I truly enjoy doing it as I hope to capture that one really special shot and B) It keeps me quiet and from yelling at the ref so I don’t turn into one of “those dads” on the sidelines.  After the games, I typically come home and re-live the game as I edit the good shots and delete the bad ones that I just took.  When done, I send out the pictures to all the parents of the team so they can keep any they want for themselves of their child.  This is where the topic of this blog starts.

As I was about to send the email out to the link of all the pictures online, I realized that this was going to be the last time that I was going to be sending out pictures of these group of boys.  This was going to be the last time that I spent a weekend at the soccer fields with this group.  There would be no more getting up early to get Pierce a bagel as we drive to the fields and talk about who he was playing or the ride back talking about the game and how he played.  This soccer journey has lasted 12 years.  Before they started driving, I used to take them to all their practices.  That one on one time in the car to talk about anything and everything was great.  I already miss those times.  This soccer experience  has culminated in countless wins, goals, championships and memories.  I have watched these boys grow up and have spent so much time (and money) with them and their parents all over this country.  Sitting in the heat.  Sitting in the cold.  Sitting in the bar.  Every weekend was soccer.  Luckily I don’t have a life, so the soccer didn’t conflict with anything.  I have watched these boys learn to play a game and play it at the highest level.  I have watched them become friends and form a tremendous bond.  I have been lucky enough to capture the absolute joy that teammates had for the guy who scored the goal, which by the way are my favorite shots to capture.  I am confident that the friendships that they have formed will continue.

Pierce and all his teammates will be playing in college somewhere this coming fall, but all in separate locations across this country.  Their playing careers will continue, but not in the same fashion.  I will not be able to go to every game as he will be playing in Denver, but I have already figured out how to watch them online.  Yes, I swear I already have a meeting during every one of his games that lasts for at least 90 minutes plus 10 minutes for halftime.  This is the end of an era, but it was worth every minute.