This photo sums up my fall pretty well.

Up before the dawn, Maggie and I drove down to the Naval Academy. Such a peaceful morning and a beautiful sunrise. I popped up the TLC tent to snap a pic for Mike.

I have always enjoyed tournaments. The preparation. The competition. The calm before. I have always like carrying the tents, getting there early, setting up a tailgate. Scouting a good location so the team can gather. Getting some quiet time with one of my kids. Getting to talk with them about their preparation, their team, their teammates, how they are feeling.

This morning, we picked up Mike from a parking lot near the Academy. It was pitch black when we arrived at his truck. We had some coffee and a good morning chat while we sat by the field and waited for others to arrive. He is a good man. I am glad I brought the Redshirts over into his organization. It has helped me end my club experience without all of the pressure of running a club. And I am grateful for that opportunity.

It was good for him to get to chat with Maggie about recruiting and about competition and about her. It is great always to support your own child and tell them how much you believe in them. But when another authority figure in their lives also expresses that they believe in them, and it is authentic, it certainly enforces their self-esteem.