Saturday was a big day for me.
It started out when the alarm clock went off at the oh-so-early hour of 5:30.
Ugh.
It felt a little like a work day…
Except for the fact that I wasn’t going to work…
I was going to see my Chicky-Poo.
So, getting up wasn’t a bother.
Plus, the Mr. was driving, so I knew I could snooze if I wanted.
I loaded up the car (you saw that picture in yesterday’s post) and headed out.
I snoozed.
I also did some knitting. Maybe one day I’ll actually finish the project I’ve been working on. It seems the only time I have to knit these days is when I’m in the car on a long ride.
I decided to give myself a couple of days off from lesson planning. I’ve been putting in 15-18 hour days.
We stopped a couple of times for “necessities.”
At one Mom-and-Pop business, the Mr. purchased this bracelet for me…
It’s the cutest thing ever, and at $1.25, it was a steal! I love that it has dolphins since Rooster’s high school mascot is the dolphin.
As we got closer to Southeastern, my stomach started churning.
I was anxious to see my girl, whom I had not seen since my tearful goodbye a month before.
When we were ten minutes out, the Mr. realized that the GPS was taking us to the school rather than the hotel.
Say what?
I thought we were going straight to see Chicky.
I will admit to pitching a fit befitting a two year old.
The conversation went something like this:
“Aren’t we going to see Chicky?” I asked.
“No. She has to be in the locker room with her team,” he replied.
“No. We’re going to see Chicky. There’s time,” I said.
“No, there’s not. I always go to the field right before the game,” he said.
“You take me to see my Chicky [fists by my side],” I said. I continued, “She said we would have time.”
At this point, I was nearly in tears, and I did the only thing I knew to do.
I called Chicky.
She said she didn’t have to be in the locker room for another 45 minutes. Since we were less than ten minutes away, it was fine to go by.
I looked at the Mr. with a smug smile.
He followed the GPS’s directions.
We parked beside her dorm, and I collected the bag of crackers I’d bought her. I also grabbed the two boxes of snacks I’d also purchased the day before.
As I began walking down the sidewalk, I saw her…
My baby…
My college girl.
As she walked toward me, she said, “I figured I better meet you outside so you wouldn’t embarrass me in front of my roommate.”
I barely heard her because, at that moment, I dropped everything I’d been holding and started doing the “Mom Run” toward her, arms outstretched.
It was like a scene from a movie.
“Run into your mama’s arms, my Chicky girl,” I said.
She smiled, chuckled, and entered my embrace.
I hugged her as hard as was legally allowed.
She hugged back.
I kissed her face and then checked to make sure she still had ten fingers and ten toes.
Don’t ask me why, but that’s what I did when I saw her the first time after giving birth to her.
If she rolled her eyes, she did it over my shoulder.
We made a few trips back and forth to carry in everything we’d brought her.
Then I kissed her face again.
I told her I owed her hugs from a couple of people…
“This one is for Ms. H (from school), and this one is from Guy Friend’s mom.”
I loved it. I had an excuse to put my arms around her again.
She was starting to tire of my affection, whispering to the Mr. that next time he could leave me at home.
heehee
We took a couple of pictures, and then we left so she could get ready for her game.
We explored a bit and then walked to the field.
What a hot afternoon! I’ve gotten out of the routine of going to games, and boy, have I turned into a wimp!
Our early appearance on campus resulted in a huge payoff when we saw one of Chicky’s former soccer coaches…Coach Mike…
He is the coach of the team Chicky would be playing against.
I have to tell you about this guy.
He sits at the top of my list of favorite coaches.
This man coached Chicky for two years, and what he did for her game was nothing short of a miracle.
He instilled in her a confidence that no other coach has ever done.
He taught her that it is vital for defenders to be mobile and carry the ball up the field when opportunities present themselves.
This changed Chicky’s game completely.
It’s made her a silent threat on the field, because most people expect defenders to stay in the back.
Coach Mike taught Chicky that her small size is no excuse to be beat physically.
As a result, she wins as many headers as girls two shoulders taller.
Although Chicky hasn’t played for him in over four years, we have remained friends and have made a special effort to keep in contact with him.
He and I are friends on Facebook, and that is how he discovered that Chicky is a member of Southeastern’s team. That is also how he figured out that his team would be playing her’s.
The hugs we exchanged yesterday were heartfelt.
I can honestly say that I love this man. When you see someone care about children the way he does, you can’t help but love that person.
We quickly caught up on the latest happenings, and then his new team (he was recently named as the coach of this team) walked onto the field.
He was thoughtful enough to introduce his girls to us.
At this point, I looked at them and said, “I want you to know that this man coached my daughter. You are very lucky to have him as your own coach. He is tough, but he knows what he’s doing.”
At this, they laughed “knowing” laughs. He chuckled because he knows that they know how tough he is.
As he ran across the field to warm up his girls, I sat on the bleachers with a smile.
My reunion with Chicky had been doubly-blessed.
Finally, it was time for Chicky’s team to take the field.
Ahhhhh…I feel so completely at home on the sidelines. It’s where I’ve spent the last 10+ years. So, it was high time that I was sitting in the bleachers again!
Chicky’s coach’s wife, Teresa, took photos…
I took photos…
The team got off to a slow start. In fact, Coach Mike’s team scored first. I was happy for him because I knew his team lacked confidence and really needed that goal.
During the game, it started raining…but the rain only lasted for five minutes – just long enough for me to run to the car and grab an umbrella.
The sky was beautiful after the rain stopped…
Finally, Chicky’s team scored, and they kept going and going and going after that.
In the end, the score was 6-1…
Both teams gathered for a prayer after the game ended…
The girls ran over and sang a song they sing after every game (I think, since this is the first game I’ve been to)…
If you want proof that I was there, check out this picture that Teresa took. I’m the one in the cropped pants and blue checkered shirt…
Coach Mike ran over to say a few words.
I’m telling you …this man is incredible. Although he lives a few states away, he’s always in my heart!
Chicky was in a good mood after the game.
We chatted with other parents, and some of her teammates introduced themselves to me.
“So, you’re Chicky’s mom,” said one player.
“Yes, I am.”
“She told us how crazy you are,” she continued.
“Oh really? I’m not sure if this is a good thing,” I replied hesitantly.
“It’s good. She said that if we think she’s crazy, then we should know that you’re even crazier.”
“Well, what can I say. I’m a mom. Moms are supposed to be nuts and embarrass their kids, But, I’m on my best behavior today. Maybe next time, I’ll do one of my dances,” I said.
heehee
She was a nice girl. They all are nice girls. Chicky is lucky to have them as teammates and friends.
Chicky was sweaty, so after she changed clothes, she hopped in our car so we could treat her to dinner. It felt good to have her in the backseat behind me again.
I have this thing where I’ve always reached my hand back to her, and she gives me a five…just a touch to acknowledge me. We’ve done this for years and years, and it especially soothed me on this occasion.
On the way to eat, I took these beautiful pictures…
Can you believe those two pictures, along with the one of the sky during the game, were taken with my phone? Great camera!!
Anyhoo…
We let Chicky pick where she wanted to eat, and because she’s been eating rather cheaply (typical broke, college student), she chose Outback.
Now, listen to how trained my brain is. When the hostess asked us how many were in our party, I answered, “Four.”
I did not even think about it until we sat down, and the Mr. looked at me strangely.
Oh.
Duh.
I still am not used to this “threesome” thing.
Anyhoo…
We splurged on a Bloomin’ Onion…
Chicky managed to spill her water. It was too funny and a little embarrassing for her.
We had a lovely conversation with Chicky, catching up on this and that. I will say, though, that she is definitely done with high school stuff. She cared not one iota about talking about anything related to the “old days.”
She’s moved on.
Unfortunately, the time went by too quickly.
We took her back to her dorm, and she tried to say her goodbye in the parking lot.
I was having none of that. I’d already said one goodbye from the car. I was not about to do it again.
I walked her to her dorm and gave her a few more hugs and kisses at the door.
This was a proper goodbye.
Although I did not cry when we left, I did feel a little sad.
Being reunited with my Chicky reminded me how vibrant she is. She is very vocal, and her absence has left a void…one that her larger-than-life personality fills.
I missed her again in that moment.
But, I know that it won’t be long before I get to see her again. I’ll be attending another game in a couple of weeks.
I can hardly wait!
Filed under: children | Tagged: childrearing, parenting, soccer, Southeastern University | 2 Comments »
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