Rekindling a Relationship with an Old Love

Being a Mom is the most important role you can have. It's challenging, but rewarding and can be exhausting. You are responsible for caring for, protecting and teaching life lessons to these small innocent humans. It will take up your entire day, and when the kids go to bed you are also more than ready to head to bed yourself. It doesn't matter if you're a working Mom or a stay-at-home Mom, it requires the same hard work. Whichever Mom you are, I feel it's important to try and commit some of the day to your personal time. It's hard, but it's so important. Sometimes we dive so deeply into motherhood we forget about ourselves, which makes us all wonderful mothers, but we are important too. Depending on your situation will determine how much time you can commit to yourself but whether it's reading a chapter in your favorite book before bed, having a cup of coffee before the kids wake up, a fitness activity, or even committing to a hobby, it's all important.

I played basketball from when I was about 8 years old all the way through college. Basketball was my thing, it defined me. It helped me through tough times and it was always an outlet for me. After college, in my free time I would head to a court somewhere and either play pick up or shoot around. About 6 years ago some things changed in my life and shortly after that I became a Mama and so playing basketball was the first activity to go. I always wanted to get back into it but I couldn't find the time, especially after having babies. I missed playing, I missed everything about it; the exercise, the friendships, the excitement. I love being a Mom and I love that I'm given the opportunity to stay home with my little ones but I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something, and that I wasn't involved in anything else besides the every day of Motherhood. Thirty years old, two kids, and extremely out of shape, I made a decision that I wanted to rekindle my relationship with an old love, hoop. I reached out to some old teammates and Facebook, looking for somewhere I could play. I lucked out and joined a team in a women's league in Oakland which is about 30 minutes away for me. It's not the most convenient circumstance, but I'm making it work. We've only played together a few times, and to be honest, I stink! I felt like my feet were cement blocks and I was running in quick sand, it was pretty terrible. But it's ok because I'm having fun. To me, it's worth the drive, it's worth the effort and it feels good to play again, even if I'm not at my best. 

I have to say my teammates are amazing. If they only knew how much support they are providing for me and how they are keeping me motivated and committed. None of them have kids and yet they are so flexible with me. I've had to take Liliana to a practice late at night where one of us had to sit out to be with her while the others played, and I had to bring both of them to a game. All of them are better players than I right now and sometimes I feel like I slow them down, but they are patient with me. Joel is also my biggest supporter, he's there for me 100% and I'm so grateful he's behind me so I can pursue things that are important to me even if it means he has to pick up the slack. I am fortunate for this opportunity and I'm glad I decided to put myself back out there. This is only the beginning. Just because you're a Mama doesn't mean you can't participate in activities you love. It's liberating and it feels pretty damn amazing to be doing something I've always and still love doing all while involving my family in it. 

"It's not about 'having time' it's about MAKING time."