Maddie Hickman

University of Central Arkansas

Undecided

Dear Softball,

You’ve been good to me the past eight years. We’ve been through hell and back together. There were times where we connected really well and things just felt right, but there were other times where I felt maybe we weren’t all that compatible. But through it all, we’ve stuck by each other.

You could say we’re soulmates. I remember we first met when I was 10 years old, in my recreational league uniform in Webster. You helped me embrace my competitive edge (which is what I’m now known for) and meet some of my best friends. You provided me with a real escape from school and anything challenging that came my way.

Although you’ve made me cry at times, you’ve also taught me how to handle adversity, work hard and how to communicate with others. You alone have given me lessons that will set me up for the rest of my life. Instead of being the shy kid with zero social skills, I’ve become a confident, outgoing person all thanks to you.

When things were going south my junior year, I was worried we wouldn’t see each other in college. I would beat myself up all the time and think of the old saying, “all good things come to an end.”

I wasn’t ready for us to end. You were the one to always put a smile on my face. I decided that we needed to hangout every day to grow closer. I knew we needed to work better as a team if I wanted the chance to continue our relationship to college. But, I was feeling hopeless. I thought it was the beginning of the end.

That is, until UCA found me. It was a miracle. The day I received an offer from them was the happiest day of my life. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like not hanging with you all day, every day. It fills me with joy that I have a future where I get to be with my best friend again.

Love,

Maddie