It’s no secret that being a coach’s wife isn’t always easy. Loneliness and anxiety can easily take over, and boy, has it taken me over before. There are times when I take the final exit to my husband’s school that I feel like my chest is being squeezed so tightly I can’t breathe.
Just the thought of walking into the stadium makes my stomach twist into knots that I can’t undo- and I know I am not alone. But why, then, do we keep signing up for this?
Why do we keep driving, keep walking, and keep pushing forward? If you are about to join us on this journey, you need to know that this life, despite its challenges, is the absolute best. There is so much goodness and happiness that comes from it.
First, I wholeheartedly love these kids, and you are going to love yours. As a couple without kids, I know that we don’t yet fully understand what it is like to love a child of our own. However, I know that this love we have now is immeasurable. I can’t tell you what the swell of pride feels like when a player you have been praying over or worrying about carries that ball into the end zone or crushes a home run.
In those moments, you really feel like those athletes are yours. Your heart will break when you don’t hear cheers for their name because you know their family isn’t there. This is your opportunity to let the team know how special they are. You will get to be their very own cheering squad. You’ll buy them Gatorade, send extra food, and make sure they know they are loved and important.
Senior night will roll around, and before you know it, boys will have become men. You will have seen the transformation before your very own eyes. Remembering their ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, you get to take part in sending them off into adulthood. Friend, I just can’t tell you how much you will love these kids.
Watching your husband mold young men will give you more joy than you can imagine. He will be completely transformed in his role of shaping boys into good men. You will watch him struggle and grow as he fights for them today and for their futures. He will be so much more than a coach to them ̶ he will lead them, battle with them, and set an example for them. Your coach will be the change agent for good in so many lives.
Whether you are about to embark on a new marriage with a coach, or you have been around this for a while now, I want you to know that being a coach’s wife is one of the highlights of my life, and I’m praying that is true for you too.
This life is going to take more work and patience than you thought you had in you, but sweet friend, it is going to be so worth it. You will rest your head every night knowing what he is doing and what you are doing is good. This life was made for you, friend, so go live and love it with all you’ve got.