I know this is cutting it close, but what do I bring/wear to the Banquet?

For the younger folk, definitely bring a swimsuit. We will be at a pool, after all. For grownups, you are welcome to bring swimwear too. Just watch out for the whirlpool(!!).

On a more practical note, however, I might recommend bringing a tent – an easy-to-assemble one! It can still be a bit sunny/warm at 5pm and you may appreciate the shade; and heaven forbid there are raindrops at any point. And I have never regretted bringing bug spray to any outdoor event.

In case you are wondering, I will wear a shirt with a collar (and shorts). I am never sure how that translates in terms of ladies’ apparel.

I am almost afraid to ask for fear of how long the answer will be, but, any last words?

A wise person once said something at a Meet the Coaches that really stuck with me. (Pretty sure it was Eileen Lamb, who preceded me as a Team Rep.) She said something to the effect of,

“Look at the people on your left and your right. You may not know them now. But over the next eight weeks, you are going to spend a lot of time in their company. More than that, though, if you’re lucky and your kids take to swimming and you allow yourself to become a little invested, those people on your left and right may someday be amongst your closest friends.”

I wish I could tell you exactly who was sitting to my left and to my right back in 2011. But I can tell you that Sanidad and Linck names were on the heat sheet on the bulletin board for our first Wednesday (and later, Saturday) meets.

Fifteen years later, those people, who were once complete strangers, watch Eagles games with me at the Turtle, play trivia with or against me at venues near and sometimes far, take on all comers on the Cornhole ‘pitch’, and otherwise sit with me and solve all the world’s problems.

I have been lucky, and am particularly grateful for these friends who will be sitting somewhere to my left or right at the Banquet. My sincerest wish for anyone who has read this far is that your swim team experience also leads to friendships that transcend the pool.

See you on the Hill!