09/20/2026
You see the handstand on the beam.
I see the kid who once did her very first one in our living room years ago… and begged me to “watch this one” until she held it the longest.
You see the perfectly pointed toes.
I see the child who thought it was the coolest thing to just bounce on a tumble track at her first gymnastics class.
You see a gymnast putting up a score.
I see the little girl who used to ask me to rate every new trick she tried -- not because she cared about the number… but because she wanted to know I was paying attention.
You see the strength it takes to do the skill.
I see the strength it took to hop back on the beam and complete the routine seconds after a fall on the skill prior.
You see confidence.
I see a kid who’s worked through doubt, fear, frustration and tears… and took the time to build the mindset she needed to go out there and compete.
And maybe that’s the best part of this whole sports parenting thing:
Everyone else sees the performance.
But we get to see the story behind it…
The story that started in the living room… and will continue to be written wherever she goes next ❤️
The Top Bleacher
