I JUST WANT TO PLAY TENNIS!!!

For some reason, since being in Armenia and Georgia, all I can think about is lacing up my shoes, gathering the gear, jumping into the car, driving to my favorite courts in Natrona Heights, stepping onto the surface, and ripping some forehanded winners down the line. 

Unfortunately, I am neither close to my favorite courts in Natrona nor did I bring my racket on this missions trip. Wah, wah, waaaaahhhhh.

So, to make up for it, I’ve been watching every tennis clip that pops into my feed on Facebook. The thing about Facebook is that when you interact with a certain type of video, its algorithm begins to send more and more of that kind of video your way. This means that every other video clip on my Facebook feed is some sort of tennis video. HALLELUJAH! Now, this is awesome, but it does have a downside. See, the more I watch amazing tennis clips, the more it makes me want to play. By watching all these videos I’m not actually solving the problem, I’m actually making my problem worse. 

As you can imagine, it’s pretty tough playing tennis by oneself. I’ve tried it before with a wall, and well, it doesn’t exactly do much for the ole self-esteem. Tennis is a two-person sport. You need someone to play with. You need a partner. 

I don’t actually remember when my tennis interest was peaked, but I can tell you who is responsible for my love of the sport. My dad. Tim Gaul is the reason I love to play tennis and he has always been my partner/opponent. We each get giddy with excitement (or at least I do lol) when we are home together because we know it’s only a matter of time before we’re back on those courts rippin’ backhands, volleying at the net, and winding up for the occasional overhand smash. Some of my favorite memories with my dad are on the tennis court and that’s saying a lot because we’ve done a lot of crazy cool things together. 

It was absolutely wonderful spending Mother’s Day with my mom, in person, a few weeks ago. I flew from Armenia to surprise my sister for her college graduation, and luckily, I was able to stay for Mother’s Day as well. Today is Father’s Day, and I would love nothing more than to be home once again, lacing up my shoes while dad gathers the gear (as is his custom) about to drive to those favorite courts of ours in Natrona Heights. 

The World Race has made something crystal clear to me… family is everything. I love my family so, so much and that love has grown exponentially these past 9 months. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. What they don’t tell you is that it also makes your heart ache. I’ve caught myself aching over the fact that I can’t be with my dad this Father’s Day weekend, but then I stop. I remind myself that I am so blessed to miss my family the way I do, for it is a testimony of the unity and love that exists within my family. I have the best family in the world and a lot of that credit belongs to my dad (of course God and mom have pretty huge slices of that pie too but come on, you know what I mean). My father is a man who has chosen to reject passivity, he accepts responsibility, he leads with courage, and he does his best to invest in the eternal. He has been a fantastic example to me and many, many others. I’ve always said that if I could one day be half the man, husband, father, and friend my dad has been then I will consider myself a success. 

Thank you, dad, for being the best father and tennis partner! I love and miss you so much. Know that I am sending all the love I can across the world today, and make sure you keep the rust off your racket because I owe you a Father’s Day match when I get home. Love ya. 

Happy Father’s Day!