Kickball...

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Skinned knees and grass stains. Hoots and hollers. Bunts and homeruns.

Today I had one of the best days I've had in a very long time. Rock-A-Belly (where I work) and three other bars, Auntie Mae's, So Long Saloon and Hibachi Hut competed (very amicably) in a kickball tournament at Tuttle Creek State Park (or just outside of it).

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. A day filled with delicious food, refreshing 'beverages', lots of laughter, and rigorous competition (or as rigorous as friends can be after a few of those 'beverages'!)

The day started out with a match-up between old rivals Rock-A-Belly and Auntie Mae's. Rock-A-Belly won in a game that seemed much closer than the last time these two teams met up. But, alas, Rock-A-Belly came out on top. Next up, So Long vs. Hibachi Hut. Hibachi came out on top by only 3 points, quite an exciting game!

So Long beat Auntie Mae's (quite handily) to come in in third place, and then came the championship game...Rock-A-Belly vs. Hibachi Hut! In one of the closest games in our kickball history (one year), Rock-A-Belly beat Hibachi by one point in an extra inning (this is where the hooting and hollering came in!)

After a long day with some of my favorite people on earth (and probably the last time all of us will be together because so many of our employees are graduating and heading off to bigger things), I left the kickball field with a little ache in my heart (a good one!).

I feel so lucky to know these people and be blessed by their friendships. I hope all of our lives (and yours) are filled with joy to match what we all felt today!