Day 3: Hockey.

I never thought I would play hockey. I mean, I love sports. I love watching. I love playing and I love trying new sports. However, did I ever think I'd put on bulky pads, lace up skates, grab a stick and skate my ass off down the ice to try and score a goal? Ummm, ya, that'd be a big, fat NO. Never in my 29 years. It wasn't until a unfortunate accident, that I thought this would never happen.

Then. It did. It freaking happened.

I like to say "I got tricked" into playing. See, before Willis broke his back and neck, I foolishly said I'd play hockey. This made his day. Probably his year. Little did he know, that I 100% planned on backing out. I know, I am a weenie. I really can be.  I actually have a track record for being good at sports, but my low self-confidence has always held me back. Then totally unexpected, WAM's lives changed. Will was unable to play hockey. This was some of the worst news he had heard in a long, long, long time. What I knew of Will's love for hockey at this point in our relationship, was that it was high. I was in competition with his passion for hockey...he he  ;) In other words, when I found out that Will could not play hockey, I said "EFFFFF" loudly in my head, put my big girl panties on and laced up my skates.

What the hell was I thinking?!?

It was a rocky start as is the case in starting something completely foreign to you and you try to be cool like it's no big deal, but you are so vulnerable, embarrassed and look like a complete fool. I like to think of Bambi learning to walk for the first time. That was me on skates. Except, I didn't go fast. I have always been a fast runner, but skating?! Oh heavens, you think I am crazy? Things changed. I practiced. I got better. I learned to absolutely love playing hockey.

Thanks Willis for getting me hooked ;)

Hockey in Moscow isn't just about having fun skating. There is a whole community that comes along with playing hockey. And I love it. I have met so many abso-freaking-awesome people playing hockey!
Whether it was friends I met through Will, who soon liked me better (to some of the guys I am "the better half") or new skaters who were also partners/spouses of other hockey players, I have met some great people who I am happy to call my friends.  I have sat in parking lots drinking beer, listened to relationship troubles, heard about everyone's kids and how good they are, I have gotten drunk in hot tubs playing volleyball with our tournament team, I have been a bridesmaid in a wedding, I have spent many a nights at the Alehouse talking about the game, I have also spent many a nights at the Corner Club chowing down on popcorn drinking beer,  I have made sweet 80's playlists featuring none other than the fabulous Eddie Money, I have shared the biggest day of my life with my hockey friends, I have shown my "true colors" watching semi-pro hockey games and shouting inappropriate and appropriate things at the players and refs....I have made some pretty awesome friends who I share some crazy, fun memories with.

I belong to a community that accepts me. That loves me for being me and the fact that I play hockey. I have a group to bond with. I am part of a community that can have a beer together and forget all of our problems or drama from being on the ice.

Someday I will be part of the hockey community with a different role. That's right, I will someday (not for a long time, so don't get excited!) be a bulldog of a hockey mom and wear my lipstick loud and proud and make it look good....and smart ;) (How do you like them apples Sarah Palin!?). I am so happy to be a part of such a great, beer loving, happy go lucky, hockey loving community. It freaking rocks.

Today hockey community, I am thankful for you.