𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 | 𝘯.𝘮𝘶𝘩𝘭⁴

𝐢. 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲

☮︎ 𝔹𝕌𝕀𝕃𝕋 𝕐𝕆𝕌ℝ 𝕆𝕎ℕ 𝕃𝔼𝔾𝔸ℂ𝕐 ☮︎

September 2020

It was a warm September day and Kate was in her room, surrounded by cardboard boxes and stationery for her new life at college. The room, once filled with trophies and mementos from her high school basketball years, was now in a state of transformation. Posters of her mother's basketball games were neatly tucked away in a corner, while Kate packed up her clothes, basketball shoes, and books. Through the window, the sun was shining down on the garden, but Kate couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions.

Kate's decision to go to UConn was not made lightly. Although she was a talented basketball player in her own right, her decision to follow this path was influenced by some very special advice.

"Remember when I used to take you to those college basketball games? I told you that basketball is so much more than winning trophies. It's a chance to grow, to learn, and to find your own path."

Kate had looked up to her mother since she was little, and she had always considered her words wise and valuable. "UConn is a special place. Not only is it a university with a rich history in basketball, but it's also a place where you can find your own place in the world. It's not just about following my path or anyone else's path. It's your chance to forge your own destiny."

Sue's words resonated in Kate's heart. She understood that UConn not only represented an opportunity to pursue a career in basketball, but also to explore her identity and forge her own path.

Kate closed the last suitcase and looked at it with a mix of satisfaction and melancholy. She took a moment to look around her room, taking in the reminders of her life at home: the family photos, the basketball trophies, and the memories of her childhood that were about to become a thing of the past. With a deep sigh, she made her way to the kitchen, where her mother and Megan were preparing for breakfast.

Megan had entered Kate and Sue's lives in 2016. At first, she was just "mom's friend," someone who showed up at dinners and some games, but she had slowly become a constant presence. To Kate, Megan had been a breath of fresh air. She was funny, always had a joke ready to make her laugh, and most importantly, she made her mother happy.

Kate had never had any trouble accepting Megan. In fact, one of the first things that brought her together was soccer. Being a soccer star, Megan was quick to invite Kate to play in the backyard. Although basketball was always the predominant sport in the Bird household, those impromptu soccer games became a space where Kate and Megan connected on a more personal level. Megan was laid-back, always up for a good time, and never pressured Kate to be more than she already was. Plus, Kate could see how much Megan meant to her mother, and that made everything fall into place even easier in her life.

For Kate, seeing her mother happy was the most important thing. She had noticed how, over the years, Megan's presence had brought a new light to her mother's eyes. Sue, always so focused and serious about her career, allowed herself to relax and enjoy the little moments when Megan was around. Seeing them together gave Kate a sense of peace and security that she deeply valued.

As Kate walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, she found Sue and Megan waiting for her with calm smiles, though their eyes reflected the mix of emotions the three of them were feeling. Megan, with her typical sense of humor, picked up a plate of scrambled eggs and presented it as if it were a grand feast.

"The last home-cooked meal before you become a college student who only eats ramen," Megan joked, winking at Kate.

Kate laughed, grateful for the lightness Megan brought to every moment. "Thanks, Meg. I hope I don't turn my entire diet into ramen, but who knows."