Another Dubya

We cheered on Keagan tonight. We met his pod mates. We met up with old travel soccer friends. 

He started and played 40 min of the first half. 

He played 25 min of the second half, and we came away with a 2-0 win. This was probably his best game in a while. 

I realized tonight these last three months are the longest time he’s played without injury or pain since he was 12. 12! For seven years he’s played injured, in pain, or had to sit. What a blessing it has been for him to play this long into the season! 

Signing Day

Thursday was Keagan’s signing day at the high school.

I’ve fretted over the details of this day for months, and I arrived to the school to find cardboard boxes, stained table cloths, and just disorganization all over the school stage. I was allowed 30 min to get it together. It wasn’t nearly enough time. Couple that with a cake disaster, and I was almost at my breaking point. 

We had three coaches talk briefly about Keagan as a player, and it was all wonderful. Such kind words and wonderful memories were shared! And then it was time for Keagan to speak. He had the most wonderful off the cuff speech! He explained that his seventh grade math teacher, a true friend who attended all of his games, once told him that she couldn’t wait to attend his signing day event. A few months later she unexpectedly passed away. The school handed out plastic bracelets in her memory, and Keagan has worn that teal bracelet every day since. I realized as he was sharing the story that the bracelet represented more than her memory. She breathed life to his dream, and by wearing the bracelet, he was reminded of his goal. 

And today his dream came true. I only wish Kenna was there to see it. 

These people have driven so many miles to watch the boys play soccer: North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Maybe Florida, too, but suffice it to say most of the Southeast. It was only appropriate for them to be there for today’s event. 

We are so thankful for the coaches that have poured into Keagan over the years. These guys from CSC are some of the best! They still attend his games and still cheer for him.

And the teachers. We have so many to thank - especially Ms Gant, who didn’t even have Keagan in her class but still supported him!

Keagan is counting down to August 11th! I can’t wait to see him take the field in purple. 

Officially a College Athlete

He did it! Today Keagan signed his letter of intent to play soccer in college. He’s chasing a dream he’s had as long as I can remember. This is so surreal because we have prayed, and hoped, and dreamed this for so many years. And now it is no longer a dream but a reality.

The outpouring of support and congratulations from friends, family, and co-workers is overwhelming. We appreciate so many people sending their congrats! I only wish we could have each of his coaches - even the male coach he had when he was 3 that wore make-up - in a room together to publically thank. 

The best part of the deal - well, one of the best parts of the deal? He will be close to home, and I will get to watch all of the home games! I can’t wait to wear purple and cheer for the Trojans next fall! 

ID Camp #1

Keagan’s summer plans include soccer training, soccer camps, and soccer recruiting. This weekend was his first soccer ID camp of the summer and was hosted by an university close to home. The school has remained on his top three list for at least a year due to academic programs and the freshmen housing options. Keagan attended this same camp last June, and we almost melted with the temps hovering around 100 degrees. This year, though. we had beautiful weather; perfect weather to be outside playing soccer.

While he trained, I toured the small campus.

This is such an exciting time for him. I pray his dream to play soccer in college comes true.