The 2022 NWSL season will hopefully bring to an end the search for a title for the two oldest franchises in US women's professional soccer, the Boston Breakers and the Chicago Red Stars. Twelve other teams will have their say on whether either franc...
Steph Labbe is taking Rio for his early-morning walk around the neighborhood. They've been venturing further and further away from the apartment this week, allowing Steph to become better-acquainted with Boston. Rio smells another dog in the vicinity and pulls on his leash, dragging Steph with him. When he finally gets to where his nose has led him, he nearly runs into the back of a bulldog.
Steph: Rio!! (to the dog's owner) I'm awfully sorry. My dog hasn't seen any other potential friends on our walks yet and got a little bit excited. We're new to Boston.
Rose: Hi, Steph! So this is your Rio.
Steph: Rose! I didn't know it was you from behind. And this must be the famous Wilma Jean Wrinkles.
The two dogs start sniffing each other while the teammates walk behind them.
Steph: Are there any dog parks nearby?
Rose: Yes. I usually take Wilma Jean there after training. I can show you where it is.
Steph: Thanks.
The four of them walk past the neighborhood dog park, with Rose pointing out some of its amenities. A few minutes later, they get to where Steph's apartment is.
Steph: This is my getting-off point. Wilma Jean is so CUTE! I think I'll bring Rio down to the dog park this afternoon. Will you be there?
Rose: Yep, unless this attention hound decides to be in the mood not to move after I get home from training.
Steph: See ya in a bit.
As she and Rio climb the stairs to the front door, Steph begins thinking. "Whew. That went well. Glad to know there's another dog in the neighborhood and that it belongs to a teammate. As for her, I don't think I made too much of an impression. Then again, I haven't been out on the circuit in a number of years, so my game is somewhat rusty. It'll take time, Steph, remember that. You can't fall into bed with the first sort of hot, younger woman you come across. Relax, I've got a whole season here to try and start something. This was just Step One in that process."
***
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
After Red Stars training, Steph and Kristie went downtown to the Cook County Courthouse to finally be wed. Alyssa Naeher and assistant coach Shannon Smyth are with them as witnesses. While waiting for the judge to appear, Kristie scrolls through her Twitter feed.
Kristie: Look at this quote Sam tagged us in, Steph. "Great relationships happen when life partners ARE married before they GET married."-Marc Schmidt, "The Tao of Schmidt"
Steph: Common sense, but a lot of people don't figure that out.
Kristie: I guess you could say that I married myself to you a few weeks ago, when I came to the decision that, if I couldn't do both, I'd rather be with you than play soccer.
