Welcome to Behind the G! This is a Georgia Way platform that shares student-athlete stories, hobbies, and what is important to them. To the world, student-athletes are viewed by their outcomes in their sports, but they are so much more than that. Our goal is to share with the world in their own words who they are as people, and the numerous ways they represent the G on and off the field.
Dear little me,
“If you find a path with no obstacles, it likely doesn’t lead anywhere.” This is one of the greatest lessons I believe you need to learn early. Life is full of so much joy, but at the same exact time, there can be so much sadness and anger. Through soccer, you are going to learn so many lessons. These lessons are going to come from some of the hardest times and greatest times in your life! You are going to feel as if all these years of training might be a waste, but trust me when I tell you nothing is more rewarding than where you are now. Take each day, each practice, each game, one step at a time. Enjoy it! One day, all your dreams are going to come true. I promise you that. Before you get to that point, you are going to be faced with some injuries, challenges, situations, decisions you may not understand, but persevere through. There will come a time when everything will make sense. Just like your dad has told you all these years.
I want to tell you a few things about what you have to look forward to. A few things that will convince you that it’s okay if you did not get to that Friday night football game or that birthday party because you have a soccer game the next day. Trust me, this is all worth it.
Now, you know how much you love Georgia Football games? How exciting it is to tailgate with the family and get signatures of all the amazing athletes. You are going to be friends with them! You are going to run up and hug big time athletes like superstar, Jordan Davis. Not to mention you will be able to introduce your dad to some players which you know will automatically make you the favorite child. If that isn’t enough, you are going to become a student athlete at the University of Georgia. I can’t emphasize enough how amazing this is going to be. Not only does your team become your family, the whole athletic association is going to become your family.
Last thing I want to share with you is about your team. This team is like something you have never had before. You are going to travel the country with your best friends constantly by your side. With people who are going through all of the practices, fitness tests, or early morning lifts. You want to know the weirdest thing? 7:00 AM weights can actually be fun. Shocking right? Imagine being surrounded by your best friends with Justin Bieber blaring in the background. Everyone is dancing and singing. I can’t even begin to describe the joy that your team brings even in the darkest times of your college life. There will come days when you feel as if you have hit rock bottom. But don’t be scared of this, your coaches and your teammates will pull you up. The friendships that are coming your way are something like never before. I promise you that you will have them until the end.
I know you hate reading so if you skipped to the very bottom, this is what I really want you to know. Don’t give up on the dreams that you’ve had since you first stepped on the field at the age of 4. You are going to end up at the greatest school in the country. You are going to end up with the most amazing and uplifting group of people in your life. Don’t get me wrong though, it isn’t easy all the time. Life is hard. Life is unpredictable. Life is unfair. But life is precious. You are so blessed to live the life you are currently living. Stop rushing. Stop racing through. Take a minute, tell your friends and family you love them. Tell yourself that you love yourself. Never lose your faith in God because he will get you through your hardest times. The pain that you might be faced with in one instant, is what is going to shape you into the person you will become.
Now, college isn’t your final destination. You have to continue to be open minded and willing to learn. The same situation of distraction of disappointments, jealousy, and doubt are things we always face in life. But the best part of this life that you live is that there are always going to be better things to come. Now say your prayers and know that one day you will get to call yourself a Georgia Bulldog. I’m not sure if it gets better than that.
Go Dawgs,
Kristen Edmond – UGA Soccer
