Lesson 1: learning to make sacrifices

I have never blogged before but I have been reading others blogs and see that they seem so free from everything after writing.

I want to share my thoughts and feelings through my journey of learning to be a coach's wife.

I am engaged to an amazing man, who happens to be a coach. Everyone always said "Are you sure you want to marry a coach?" "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?" "He will never be home or there when you need him most." My answer to all of these questions have been yes; I know what I am getting myself into, I want to marry a coach and I know he won't always be home, but that's ok. Being a coach is something meaningful and life-altering that most people don't know. A coach makes a difference in many lives everyday, even without knowing it. I have seen this first hand over the last year of watching Brent coach. This reminds me that it is worth it to know the man of my dreams is influencing the lives of many young men. He has been the godly role model many have needed to see as a young coach this has more of an impact because they relate more than to the 'older' coaches around the same age of their parents.

I can't lie and say that this has been the easiest first year or the best, BUT I can say that I know I can't have Coach Morris all to myself and have to remember the key lesson from kindergarten: "You need to learn to share." I had to learn to share my time with the players. This was not the easiest thing to do while I was finishing up school and 3 1/2 hours away from  my best friend. It made life really easy for Brent to commit to his new job and show the district what type of coach he was without me being there to distract him and take away from that commitment. Although there were many nights I was exhausted and impatiently waiting to talk to the one person I needed the most but had to wait until about 9 every night! This was annoying because I finished with my day around 4 everyday. I wish I could have him there for my every need, time of crisis and exciting moment but I quickly learned that SACRIFICE is the  first thing I have to learn to deal with as a coach's wife.

Sacrifice- something given up. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I have to be willing to give up time I want for time the players need. Not all players have the best home life, supporting parents or a godly role model. If I can give up time with my coach who has all of those aspects  to contribute to the lives of those players who need him more I would be selfish by demanding his every aspect of attention and time. Especially with today's economy and crisis for jobs in the education world Brent needs to make every effort to keep his job and therefore we both have to make sacrifices. Sacrifices are never easy but I understand that they have to be made. This is still a concept though that I am trying to be supportive and more understanding about.

I have the privilege of having a coach's wife that I can watch, model and learn from. Brent's uncle is the A.D (athletic director) for the district and his wife is an amazing godly woman who has offered much support and comfort already through this journey. It is nice knowing there are other women out there that have the same concerns, frustrations and disappointments that I face as a 'little coach's wife' learning how to handle this lifestyle.