My Tennis Story:

My tennis story is a bit different than what you would expect.  I did not grow up playing tennis.  Actually, I did not pick up a tennis racket until I was 14.  The reason that I actually picked up a racket at that age was because our high school, which was just over a mountain from my house, built new courts.  My cousin and I decided that we would try to play.  So we walked over the mountain to the courts and played around a few times.  The courts were on a ridge, so it was a bit windy which added a bit more challenge.

Later in high school, I dated an awesome fellow who loved to play tennis.  He was so patient and kind.  He taught me what little I knew about tennis until I turned 40.  I have wonderful memories of playing tennis with him on warm summer days surrounded by the mountains that we called home.  He was a fairly skilled player who played in high school and college.  But yet, he was patient enough to share his love of the game with me.  I am forever grateful for that gift.

In my late 30's, my friend Monica kept saying that when her youngest daughter Claire started kindergarten, she was playing tennis.  After hearing this a few times, I was inspired.  So at the ripe young age of 40, my tennis career began.  Which brings me to today.  After a mere five years of practice, lessons, and league play, I finally met one of my largest tennis goals; my team made it to the NC state league championship playoffs for doubles combo in Winston Salem.  It was an awesome experience to play against the best teams in the state as well as spend a few days with wonderful girlfriends.  I have found that there is truly life after forty and for me that is on the tennis courts.  I look forward to many, many more years of playing tennis and meeting many more wonderful friends.