If I could change one aspect of my childhood, it would have been the time I spent imagining how my life would turn out when I was “all grown up.” Although how to dissect and separate the time spent planning my future (useless, unnecessary) from the time spent dreaming big dreams (essential, exhilarating) is something I have yet to figure out.
My life was not going to be lived in a city unless that city was D.C. That was certain. And, although I loved soccer as a child, and still do, I am fairly certain my life was never going to involve running or biking or anything with the word Insane or Tough Mudder in it. The only ultras I planned on were ultra-reading sessions. I did want a graduate degree but I was pretty sure no one would ever pay me to get one and I couldn’t imagine putting so much of my own hard-earned cash into it. I was going to live either very far away from home (overseas) or very close by (NH). None of this in-between stuff.
This photo was never part of my dreams. Tailgating? Eating grilled marinated chicken and wearing sports apparel and playing with a football? Not in my dreams. Sorry to disappoint, but it really wasn’t.
This photo was even less a part of my dreams. In fact, I’ve only looked at it once since a friend sent it to me because it makes me laugh so much. Ok, to be fair, possibly every girl dreams of at least one occasion where six guys (plus the one taking the photo, minus the one entertaining my friends while I apparently entertained his) stand completely still listening to every word she says (what the heck was I saying? And why was anyone listening?) I have never felt such adoration before. Granted, I think the dream doesn’t usually involve parking lot + jeans + running sneakers. But hey, girls can’t be too choosy.
- I never dreamed that I’d be excited about tailgating. Or that I’d have to choose between tailgating with my friends and tailgating with some hockey celebs (I made the right choice!).
- I never dreamed that I’d be able to talk to strangers. Even if they are friends of my friend. That I’d go from not knowing someone and 20 minutes later, be laughing hysterically with them.
- I never dreamed that I’d be knowledgeable about sports. Knowledgeable enough to hold my own (and some) in a conversation with 7 passionate sports fans. That a bunch of guys would actually listen to my sports analysis.
- I never dreamed that I’d run a marathon. On a fractured foot. Then take a final exam for an MBA that my work is paying for me. Then throw up the night before Thanksgiving and miss out on most of the deliciousness. Then catch a bus to my friend’s boyfriend’s parent’s house (who I’d never met before). That I’d lose at Monopoly (that definitely never entered into my competitive dreams!). And a week to the day of the Philly marathon, be back in Philly, walking and talking and breathing sports. Posing in this photo articulating some important point with my hands (another thing I DO not do – talk with my hands. I’m blaming the beer.)
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