Playing ice hockey was one of those things I fantasized about. Yeah, I wanted to play after watching the movie Miracle my freshman year of high school, and even more so after seeing how important it was to Riley in Inside Out. But it was always just a fantasy, more of a distant dream than something that would ever actually happen.
Maybe that’s why I love it so much now. Hockey is one of my few dreams that came true. Hockey is a chance for me to learn more about myself and have fun, and it’s the highlight of my week!
I’m usually a pretty serious, realistic, and unexcitable person. My roommates say I end all my sentences with periods. I don’t smile that much. But then, Thursday nights are a different story. Hockey makes me sincerely smile. I love everything about it, and I’ve even jumped for joy upon remembering I have practice.
The rink is a safe place for me. I’m not in the least self-conscious there. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll look stupid doing something. I worry that I’ll fail, embarrass myself, or do something wrong. I won’t take risks, make a change. Hockey is changing all that.
Every time I’m on the ice, I push a new limit. I skate faster, try new technique work, and turn sharper. Half the time, I crash and burn trying, but I get to laugh it off and pull myself back up off the ice. Plus, between falls, I feel like I’m flying.
I guess you could say I’m high off hockey. It’s a great workout, a challenge mentally, and super fun. It makes me truly happy. It’s been over a year since I last truly had fun participating in a sport, and hockey has revived my faith in the fun of sports. I think I’ve fallen for hockey.