Okay, so maybe that might be a little melodramatic.  But as a former soccer player, I have to admit it was awesome watching Noah score his first goal.  It was a proud parent moment.

I sadly don’t have a picture or video of it–well maybe not sadly, as the memory of the goal can live on big and glorious with the reality of the ball trickling through the goalies legs and over the line.  It was a bit like slow motion.  But when you are 6 and playing soccer for the first time–it might have well have been a shot from outside of the 18 that find the top right corner.  It feels the same, when it’s your first–AMAZING.

The look on Noah’s face was one of pure shock and amazement.  It was his teams first goal in two games.  He is playing in an instructional league which is great–as he is learning a great deal and they really focus on skills.  Their games are short quarter-field games with only 5 players per team on the field.  It has been good for him and each time he plays and practices (they have a 1 and 1/2 hour practice 1x per week and then a 1hr game on Friday nights–under the lights).

My brother was able to come to the game and he was an pretty awesome soccer star in his day and Noah was so excited.  He ran by the side line early on in the game and smiled huge and waved at his uncle.  It was cute.  It takes me back to the days I played–on the very same fields my son currently plays on.  The high and lows–the amazing victories and the crushing losses.

I try not to get my hopes up that soccer will be the sport he loves.  The sport he can’t imagine not playing.  The sport the lives in his blood and dreams.  But for now, I will watch from the sidelines, cheering for him.  It warms my heart to know exactly how it feels to be out on the pitch.

I love that he loves sports.  I think sports are the most important thing our kids do.  Not because they are all going to be amazing athletes–but there is something about being part of a team.  About being part of something that is bigger than just you.  Team sports give a kid (and adults) and opportunity to build character in a way that other activities don’t.  It brings out their grit and perseverance.  It teaches them hard and important lessons about failure.

For Noah–his team lost, but he scored a goal.  He both lost and won.  Just like we all do so many times in our own lives.  It’s a great lesson to learn.