Playing for More: Brotherhood, Travel Across Borders, Leadership, and Belief.

It's 12:45 a.m. and we just returned from Norway and Sweden together with most of the team to Bristol, England. It feels good to be home, back in my apartment, but it also feels good to have these emotions; I feel elated, tired, fulfilled, and my spirit full as we just spent the weekend traveling first to Norway, then to Sweden for our CEFL game against the Karlstad Crusaders. And even though we lost - I feel amazing, because little things, little nuances, little moments, the in-betweens of big moments, mean the world to me.

Actually, they mean everything to me. The inside jokes with my teammates, the ability to see places I've never seen before, the car rides and bus journeys with coaches and my teammates, gazing at the beauty through the countryside of Sweden while having deep conversations with teammates. Especially the moments of stillness - these things matter to me. Even the stupid jokes recapping the nights out, making fun of each other as players stroll a bit hungover (myself included) back to the bus for departure in the morning. It's deeper than just a game, or a sport that I love to play, to me.

And unless you've been around the game as long as I have, you might not get why it matters so much to me - to walk in this path. The beautiful scenery along the way, talks of ball for hours to re-shape & improve on where we can as a team. Even the challenging moments I find myself in, switching roles to help coach the guys up and be there for support as opposed to playing, having to had sit out this one, I love it. Being present.

The beautiful women and cities of foreign countries, sitting down at a "gaf" (UK slang for building) with a teammate while exploring the city of Olso, Norway. The vets, the young-guns, and coaches all unified for one common goal. There is a reason I thank God every day when I open my eyes right away every morning, because I appreciate every moment, even the hard ones - because I am living them, I am experiencing things the kid version of Tim Lukas would've only dreamt about.

Next game is in London this Sunday - back to the work, the schoolwork, taking care of my body, the grind. I love it.