Author: Katie Welker

It did

by Katie Welker

Life changes in a matter of seconds. Each moment shapes us, molds us, and creates us into a different variation of who we are. Yet sometimes we don’t even realize the moments that pass until they have added up and accumulated into one giant change that we are forced to accustom ourselves to.

Maybe the change comes in the addition of a new job, a new place to live, or a new relationship… maybe the change comes in the loss of one of these things. Whatever the case may be, acknowledge it. Accept it. Because these changes happen as a result of each decision you make and each moment that enters your life. And although I don’t believe there is a reason for every circumstance that happens, I do believe that each thing that happens to you is supposed to happen. We may never know why, but we can have faith that if for no other reason, changes help us grow and become stronger. That in itself is reason enough to be grateful.

“I guess it was supposed to happen… because it did.”

Thank you will never be enough

by Katie Welker

Today I had my very last cheerleading banquet. It was the epitome of bittersweet. My parents were able to come, I helped surprise my best friend and have her Dad, who lives 6 hours away, show up without her knowing it, and I was able to enjoy time with a group of girls that have become my best friends and easily my strongest source of memories from my college career.

My team, including my coach, have been with me through it all. They have laughed with me (and at me… on numerous occasions, including today…), celebrated with me during personal victories, carried me through my struggles, defended me against all odds, and never once, despite all unthinkable circumstances, left me to fight through this crazy life by myself. There is nothing that brings me more satisfaction than to know that I can think back on my college experience and know that it was filled with people who gave me such wonderful intangible gifts.

So this one is to you – my teammates, my best friends, my sisters, my family. No amount of words published on my little blog could ever express what you have given me, especially this year. One of my favorite quotes is, “how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” – and that is more relevant now than ever before. For what it’s worth, my time with each one of you is something that I will never forget. My heart is full of appreciation and gratitude for the love that I have for each of you and the memories that we have made together. Although ‘thank you’ will never come close to being enough… I’ll say it anyway. Thank you. For the memories, the laughs, the tears, the commitment, the long talks, and for the friendships that are so rare to come by these days, yet so beautiful and genuine. I will cherish them forever. Thank you.