I was 17 the first time I visited the University of Miami. I was there for a weekend modeling photo shoot. Yeah back when I was sorta hot. Haha. My mom came down with me for us to look at the school on that Monday. I was on a tour with a modern day Zach Morris and remember thinking I really need to come to school here. Aside from the gorgeous people all around, the campus doted an Olympic size swimming pool where you could layout in between classes as well as a full bar for beers after class. Not to mention the sunny weather. All. Year. Round.
One thing led to another and I ended up at UK my freshman year. But I couldn't let the "U" go from my mind. I almost transferred mid-college but decided to finish undergrad at UK in 3 1/2 year and get to Miami for grad school. I might be arriving a few years later than I thought, but by God I was determined to get there.
I arrived in January of 2005. So nervous for a new chapter in my life with a new big city, new school, and not knowing a single person. Well except for my roommate. I remember walking timidly into the first night of class, sitting in the front row, and wondering if I would make friends. Sure enough, I did.
Miami brought me so many things. A wonderful second education. My professors were more than teacher. They were mentors and friends. People who genuinely wanted me to succeed. An amazing entry into the sports industry through my love of tennis. David Tratner had such faith in me as a young 22 year old to welcome me into IMG and the
The city will always have a piece of my heart as it is where my adult life began. Each time I return, a wave of nostalgia washes over me. There are times when I dream back to the innocence I possessed when starting out there. The naive spirit that I carried. Sometimes I glimpse forward into what life might have been like had I stayed there. But then I remember where I am today which puts a huge smile across my face. See I have learned that while we might like to go back to certain periods of life, there is no redo. And if we lived in Miami now, it would never be the same.
So I will continue to cherish the memories. And be thankful for the time I spent in the 3-0-5.
No comments:
Post a Comment