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And that's a wrap!

What a busy, busy season we are in as Laura's senior soccer season finally came to a close last weekend.
BEST picture of the season, by far:
We have a former team dad who continues to come to our games to capture these shots for us :)  If you are local, his name is Jeremy Wiggs (you can click on his name for info).

And a picture of her awesome coach, Jess (in the middle) surrounded by her 2018-19 seniors:
Here are some action shots of our #20. . .




And fans that stuck it out to the very end. . .even in the cold --
Stephen & Barbara October 2018
Senior night was incredible.

First off, Laura's first two YMCA coaches from Cookeville showed up, totally unannounced:
Daddy & his girls - YMCA soccer players & coach
I was overwhelmed by the fact that they would drive this far just to come and support her.  Thad, the one on the left, was her first coach (after her dad -- he is in this picture too because he was technically her first coach. . .then she "fired" him and wanted someone who knew more about soccer).  Thad just thought she had amazing talent and really encouraged her and us to "stick with it".  She was probably 9-10 at that point? For some reason I didn't buy a team photo that year and all I can find is this one of him handing her the season trophy or medal or whatever.  His son is her age and they went to school together so we never really lost touch, which is neat.

After Thad, she was passed on to Nick, the one on the right.  Nick was not only her YMCA coach but then became her middle school coach! That school won the district championship -- as far as you go in middle school -- all three years she played for him there.  He even wore her 8th grade shirt, with her name on it, to Senior Night. 
This picture is the night they won the district championship -- but I have no idea what all the finger numbers mean?  Maybe someone will comment to remind me.
Laura is in the front row, on the right.  This picture was only the 8th graders. . .all of these girls graduating this year :)
Back to the present -- there were 8 seniors to honor this year. . .her coach and the parents in charge did a great job and made it very special for them/us.
Framily Tommy & Barbara made it to the game also!
The girls went on to play a district, region, and sub-state games in the following weeks -- their season coming to a close last Saturday night.  After that last game, we took all of those who came to cheer her on in her last game as a Hawk to dinner:
Her brother was up, her best friend from Crossville, and this special girl, who was an 8th grader when Laura was a 6th grader -- we dug up their team picture earlier this week!
Laura & Natalie 2018 and teammates in 2012
As a sad aside to all of this, we were reminded, once again, of how life can be gone in an instant
After the game on Senior Night, we invited the Cookeville dads (they both have seniors this year too  -- all these kiddos went to school together!) out to dinner.  We had a great time catching up -- it's been years and years since we've seen them, much less had meaningful conversation with them.  Five days later, Nick called me to say that Thad had been in an accident and was killed.  This guy truly lived life.  All the FB posts from the last several weeks have been reminders of that.  We didn't know him well, but enough that this was a sad shock to us all.  He and Nick have daughters the same age who played soccer together and, of course, their graduating seniors this year.  It hit home once again. . .live and love well.  Take pictures that capture those memories, that show the joy those you love have in life.  I remember being so excited to take this picture of the coaches and Laura just so I could write about how much their action that night touched me (which I did -- FB Picture of the Season).  
Although this life here on earth is not "forever", it is a gift -- one to use to praise and worship the One who gives it and knows our last day.  I'm so glad that our last memory of Thad is a happy one -- not a regret that we "didn't do, didn't go, didn't say". . .

I intend for this blog to be a happy place -- a place to record and remind me of the astoundingly blessed life that the Lord has gifted me with and those He has given to me as family, friends, and acquaintances.  We would all put Thad in that last category, however, this picture will be a forever reminder of how he did influence our daughter in word and action.  I know there are others out there that have done the same. . .and am grateful that God knows their names and those kindnesses will not be forgotten by Him.

And another "wrap" -- our senior finished out her 17th year this week and has moved on to #18!
Her annual "chair picture" and one of her favorite gifts, saying that her aunt and uncle "outdid themselves and probably don't even know it" -- ha!
Since her brother couldn't be here on a Thursday night, we had one of his friends, Natalie, over to "fill his place" -- ha!
The birthday girl requested this dinner:
And this amazing dessert -- we were all so excited to eat it that we didn't do (forgot?) candles and singing. . .but this incredible peanutbutter cheesecake was too good to wait for all that ;)
We're not certain if it was so good because of the recipe or the love that went into making it. . .we'll say "both".  Thank you, Miss Barbara and Mr. Tommy, for your incredible dessert and friendship.

I am looking forward to her next season. . .our next season. . .and coming alongside friends and family in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration for their "next seasons"!
Love,
Jenni

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