Thankful Thursday - A New Friend

When we signed my son up for soccer this year, my husband decided to volunteer to coach.  Head coach, to be exact. 

 

"Do you KNOW anything about soccer?" I asked him. 

 

His response?

 

"It's five-year-olds.  I think I can handle it, my beautiful wife."  (Okay, so maybe that last part of the sentence wasn't said out loud.  But he was thinking it.  I'm sure of that.) 

 

I didn't even bother volunteering because I am totally content being a "soccer mom."  More importantly, I am down with my bad, non-athletic self.  My husband, on the other hand, played sports all his life and attended an ACC school on a baseball scholarship.  So, why, you ask, was I doubtful of his abilities?  Because - hello! - it's soccer.  With five-year-olds. 

 

In my mind, it looked like this:

 

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In reality, it looked like this:

 

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It's just kids running after a soccer ball.  Sometimes.  The rest of the time they are busy socializing.  In fact, during one game, my son and another boy were too busy discussing their temporary tattoos to "worry" about the ball.  Priorities, people.

 

In all seriousness, though, something wonderful has come out of my hubby's volunteering (you know, aside from the fact that it's father/son bonding time).  After he submitted his paperwork for coaching, he learned that he was unable to serve as the head coach since he would have to miss one of the practices and one of the games due to grad classes he's currently taking.  Instead, he became the assistant coach and was paired with one of the other player's moms. 

 

And that mom and I have become friends.  And she rocks.

 

We hit it off immediately and I feel like I've known her forever.  She is completely genuine and real - just so down-to-earth and easy to talk to about anything.  I am so thankful for having met her.  I have a feeling we'll be friends for life. 

 

You know, it's hard to keep up with friendships because, well, life happens.  But I'm so thankful to have my friends in my life, even if we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like.  And my new friend is someone I'm especially thankful for today.  She's come into my life at the perfect time - a time I need some fun and positivity. 

 

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I guess I should thank my husband, too, for volunteering his time or else I never would have met my new friend!  (I'll admit, too, that he's a pretty great coach.  The kids love him, and our son loves that "Coach Dad" is his best buddy.)

Who in your life are you especially thankful for today?