How firm thy friendship....

Tonight, I attended the inaugural "Jacket Ceremony" for the fall athletes. The athletic department has decided that all first time letter winners receiving their jackets would do so in a ceremony in the Varsity O room in the football stadium. Representatives from Men's and Women's Varsity O were there - the presidents of both organizations got up and spoke, and represented well (yea Jeri!!) I had to leave to go to agility class...but seeing all the letterwinners there with their teammates brought back so many memories.

At tonight's event, I sat at a table full of soccer girls (young ones, I might add) with Belinda. I have been to many of these events with Belinda...Belinda being a former coach, working for the University and having a hubby that works for the FB program, well, we will say that she knows "people". A lot of them - some of them much more prestigious than others. I know some of them too - not only from my days on the board, but from playing as well (Archie Griffin came to our games on a fairly regular basis) We always introduce ourselves as board members, tell the person we played softball and then it comes out that I was a former player of Belinda's. I get so used to saying it...am so used to that fact, that I rarely take the time to reflect on how our friendship has evolved over the years. The teenagers at the table thought that was pretty cool...and as I sat there and watched these guys and gals get their jackets, I realized yet once again how fortunate I was to experience an athletic career at The Ohio State University, how proud I am to BLEED scarlet and gray and grateful for the friendship of all my teammates (and coach!!!) over the years.

I would be remiss in not recognizing today as a very, very special day in the life of one my teammates, dear friend and confidante...today marks the first birthday of little Dolan James Tucker. Happy birthday Dolan!!! Auntie will come see you soon again...this time, I will probably be chasing you everywhere, you little walker you!!!!

I leave you all with this....

"HEY SOUTH STANDS....OH!!!"