A Powerful Life-Lesson I Learned From My Dad

As I sit here writing this, I have “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and his daughter, Natalie Cole playing on repeat. When I was a little girl, my dad and I used to dance and sing to this song every weekend. It quickly became our song and I always vowed that on my wedding day, this would be the song we’d dance to during the father/daughter dance - lol, so in the near future! But more on wedding stuff later!

So last night, I was reminiscing with my fiancé Freddie, about some of my favorite memories growing up. There was one specific story that stood out which taught me an essential life-lesson that I still carry with me today.

Ever since I can remember, my dad has been a remarkable role model & defined “lead by example” for me. I thought it would be cool to share this story. You never know who might need to read it!

I love you so much, Daddio! Thank you for the invaluable lessons, unconditional love & endless laughs. I am deeply grateful you are my pops!! Happy Birthday. 

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"You ready for today?" My dad, Rick, asks, shutting the trunk of his white Ford Explorer as I grab my cleats out from the back.

"I was born ready, Daddio!" I excitedly exclaim, throwing the cleats over my right shoulder.

As we walk through the entrance to Mullins Park, I can feel the vibrant South Florida sunshine beating down on my face and the scent of freshly cut grass wafting through the air. The year is 1999, and we have a wildly important soccer game to win today.

Dad and I make our way to the main field, and a sea of faces greet us.

"Coach Tabit! We're going to win today,” one player shouts.

"Alyssa! let's do this,” another player says, high-fiving me.

I lace up my cleats and run out to the field with the rest of the girls to begin warming up. My dad directs us to begin with dribbling, passing exercises, and shooting drills. He then calls us over to show us the plays he'd like to start with on his dry erase clipboard. Now and then, the assistant coach, Joaquin, throws in some pointers as well. The team is so excited, and you can feel the energy radiating from our team.

My dad calls for a quick break before the game, and I spot my mom, Vallerie, and sister, Brianne, in their folding chairs near the bleachers. I run over to say hi, eyeing a heavenly blueberry slushy resting in my sister's hands.

"Can I have a sip?" I anxiously plead, "It'll be good luck!"

My sister rolls her eyes, "No, get your own."

"Bree, give your sister a little taste," my mom smiles.

Brianne hesitantly hands me the slushy, and I take a big gulp, allowing the delectable icee to cool down my body in the warm Florida heat. I smile to hand it back to her but have a better idea.

"Thanks for the slushy, sis!" I yell, running back to the field, blue slushy in hand.

"What the heck!? Rude!" Brianne yells.

I run toward the field, quickly chugging the slushy and throw it into the trash before meeting my teammates. Dad gives each player their respective positions, and we head to our side of the field. I situate myself as a forward and turn to my sister, giving her a cheeky wave.

The game begins, and we have a slow start - the other team takes the lead. However, Dad coaches us, girls, with patience and positivity, along with strong leadership and tenacity. As we enter the second half, we begin hitting our stride and tie the game 3-3.

A few minutes into the 2nd half, I begin hearing my stomach grumble. "Ugh, oh," I thought. "I shouldn't have had that slushy."

I continue playing and begin feeling stabbing pains of a side-stitch, making an unannounced appearance in the right region of my tummy. I freak out and run up to my dad.

"Dad! I'm sick." I yell.

My dad quickly turns his attention from the game and immediately directs me to kneel so they can call me out. As soon as I hit the ground, the referee blows his whistle for a time-out, and I switch positions with another teammate.

My dad comes over to me and rests his hand on my shoulder, "You okay, Liss?"

"No, I shouldn't have had that slushy." I groan.

"You've got this, Lissy. Take a few minutes and gather your composure, but your team needs you in this half. No wussitis here," Dad jokes. “If you feel a side-stitch, run into it and it will dissipate. You are strong and can and will persevere. I believe in you, Liss. So does your team,” he delivers passionately.

I absorb this information, and while watching the game, I take not only my dad’s but coach's words to heart. The game is tied, and I know my team needs me. I realize at this very moment that you can't just quit when the going gets tough. You have to fight through the hurdles and never give up, especially when others are counting on you.

The other team calls a time-out as the game is still tied 3-3, and we have possession of the ball with only five minutes left in the game. I recognize that I have two choices; I can sit and feel sorry for myself, or I can persist, and be there for my team, no matter the circumstance. I chose the latter.

"Coach!" I shout to my dad, "I'm ready to go in!"

A smile shines from my dad's face upon hearing this news, "Way to go, Lissy! Take right forward position."

I run out to the field as my team cheers for my return. We all know exactly what we are about to do. We've practiced this play more times than I can count and know in my heart that we can do this. It's time to win this game!

My teammate throws the ball in, and I quickly take possession of it, dribbling down the field, running into my side-stitch, toward the goal. A taller opposing team player comes running up out of nowhere, and I look to my left, eyeing my teammate, wide-open in center field. I swiftly pass the ball to her and continue running to the goal.

As she dribbles closer and closer to the goal, two opposing teammates tag-team her, and she has nowhere to go. She passes the ball in my direction, and I run at full-speed, with all of my might towards it.

I have no time to think, just do. The opposing player blocking me earlier is racing to the ball at lightning speed. Whoever takes control of it first will no-doubt take leadership of this game.

Amongst all of the chaotic cheering in the stands, I take a deep breath and focus only on the ball as my dad has taught me. My world goes silent, and I zone into the game, noting the goalie ahead and where she is standing. I give myself one last push and sprint to the ball, reaching it first and kicking it with all of my might. The ball soars through the air, almost in slow-motion, as the goalie jumps to block it. We all are glued to the scene in front of us and can't look away. This play could be a game-winning moment.

The goalie skillfully reaches up as the ball flies her way, but it just grazes her fingertips and the ball swishes into the corner of the goal.

“GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” We all gleefully shout!

The referee blows his whistle and calls the game - our team won!

The team runs toward Coach Tabit and our loved ones watching us. We all huddle up, cheering, hugging and celebrating our win.

"I knew you could do it, Lissy!" My dad says while we embrace in a bear hug. "I mean, that was just a picture-book shot!"

I smile from ear to ear, as our team lines up to say "good game" to the opposing team. As we circle back, all of the parents hold their hands up, making a tunnel for us to run through, praising our victory.

We say our goodbyes to the team, and Dad and I meet up with my mom and sister. Leaving Mullins Park, a feeling washes over me that I have never felt before; the pride of persevering. Knowing that I did not quit or give up just because there were obstacles in my way was extremely gratifying. I really liked this feeling.

"Hey Daddy," I begin, "can we celebrate at ‪Taco Bell‬ with Mexican pizzas?”

My father grins, looking at all of us, "We sure can. You deserve it!"

"Don't even think about having any of my cinnamon twists," my sister teases, "but good job, sis. Maybe you can have a few."

I smile at my family as my mom and dad each put an arm over me, and we walk out of the park, savoring that sweet, sweet moment.

Little did I know, that I would be taking a life lesson I learned from my dad that day, along with me that would serve me very well later in life. ❤️ Thank you for everything, Daddy! Happy Birthday! 🎉