Real.

I read so many blogs. Blogs about newlywed couples, my friends going on missions, people from school getting engaged; you name it. I read so many blogs about so many people in so many different stages in life. I read these blogs and all I see is the fluff. The couple together through high school who got married after his mission and have the perfect wedding videos and wedding and instagram and film together for a living. The couple who fell in love in the last three months of his mission via letters and had the most perfect wedding and marriage and she loves nail polish and bakes lots of cookies. The girl who writes about bands and scriptures and fashion and has everything in her life so entirely put together. As far as their blogger world is concerned, their lives are perfect.

I know I've been absent from blogging since I left for college, and I think that's why. My life isn't perfect. My nails last one day before they're chipped and I often don't have time to repaint them, I had to skip that California trip because I didn't have enough money, my room is messy most of the time. I don't have a boyfriend who loves me or a pretty engagement ring on my finger. My car runs out of gas quicker than I'd like and instead of spending my paycheck on that longboard I'm drooling over or that pair of sunglasses at Nordstrom, I'm putting money down for my apartment. I don't have a good relationship with my extended family and I am not a huge advocate of family parties because I don't feel loved there. (If anyone in my extended family is reading this, please don't give me pity or call me to say you love me. I'm fine.) I have a hard time with things and sometimes just cry because I'm a girl and I'm hormonal. And this is the truth of it; the real.

The reality of it is that even though my life isn't perfect, my life is so good. I have a family that loves me and I love them. I have a best friend that brings me caramel apples at work and goes on Sunday drives to the temple with me just to talk about life. I can't sleep on Sunday nights because I receive emails from the most lovely boy in the whole entire world each Monday morning. I swim for Brigham Young University and love my team. I always have cupcakes to bake, clothes to wear, and a place to call home. 

I sat outside the other day calling my brothers' lacrosse faceoffs with running shorts on and my hair in a topknot. We were laughing and playing and the sun was shining down over us. And that's what makes life beautiful.

I'm not here to be perfect, I'm here to be real. I'm so thankful for this beautiful life God has blessed me with, and from now on, I'm determined to live it to the fullest.

I'm back, guys.

Coach.

 coach

noun

1. a person who trains an athlete or a team of athletes.

When I think of the one person outside my family who has had the greatest influence on my life, it is my coach. He is so much more than a coach to me; more than just a person who trains an athlete or a team of athletes. He is like my second father. He is the man that helped me tape my hand to a paddle after I smashed it in the car door before morning practice, he is the man who has told me through my breakups that I deserve better, he is the man who supported me even when I signed to an opposing school. He's the man who took me to my first championship meet and helped me get through my nerves before the 400 IM. He ordered my tech suits and would give me monthly talks about how I need to be on time to practice. He's the man who took my swimming goals personally and did everything in his power to help me accomplish them. He's the man who told my team before every meet: "Let us be good people, then we can be fast swimmers." He's the man who would get choked up after a hard set because he was proud of me. Dee is so much more than a swimming coach, he's an example to everyone around him. Each athlete he coaches feels his sincere love. He makes us want to be better people; then fast swimmers. 

After listening to my coach's advice when my set was finished today, I looked to Dee for approval and, as always, he was watching my set. I realized then how thankful I am to be able to swim with the most amazing coach. Someone who I completely trust and know wants what's best for me as an athlete and as a person. It's one thing to be a great coach, it's another thing to be a great coach who respects and loves his athletes.

Thank you for everything, coach.

I promise I'll make you proud.

Blog Love.

I'm a pretty good blog stalker, if I do say so myself. So here is a lovely list of my absolute favorite blogs to read. Enjoy!

//Something Devine Blog. 

//M2 Story

//Rockstar Diaries

//Kaitlyn Lindley

//Elizabeth Garces

//Finlayson Family

Hello.

I'm doing this thing. Join me.

//I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a nineteen year old mother and twenty one year old father. I think I'm an accident, they'll tell you I'm a blessing. They're the loveliest of parents.
//Two years later, another baby came along. He's the coolest thing around and I love him dearly.
//I turned four and started competitive swimming. Ears out of my cap and a potbelly. Twenty-five yard breaststroke was my thing.
//Twelve days after nine-eleven, miracle baby arrived six weeks early. He was six pounds, six ounces, and healthy as healthy could be. He's the funniest boy you'll ever meet and has the sweetest heart. God blessed me with the most extraordinary brothers.
//I started junior high and got braces and talked in a Mexican accent and was awkward. I mean, it was cool, though.
//My family started going to Mexico with this organization each Christmas. I fell in love with Rocky Point.
//I dated a nice boy for two years and then a bunch of other ones for less-than-a-month time periods.
//I signed to swim for the University of Utah, and just finished my freshman year today.
//I got single. (Fist bump.)
//I work at Gap and teach swimming lessons and I like life.