A Weekend of Lasts

This weekend, above all else- was truly a testament to how quickly time goes by...

Starting Thursday, I went home for the night to watch my brother the captain of his high school (Andover High School) soccer team, play under the lights in his senior night game. 

I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of my brother, and admittedly how incredibly baffled I am as to how he grew up so damn fast. Senior night was a success, each of the seniors on the team were introduced by the announcers in a quick ceremony before the game. There were a few meaningful words spoken about each player, they jogged to center field to shake hands with their coach- and continued on to greet their parents on the field with a hug. Each of the boys gave flowers to their mothers, and a personal letter to their families. My brother has grown up to be an incredible guy. As he made his way across the field I couldn't help but think about all the memories we have together, the millions of soccer games I have watched him play in over the past 14 years, and it left me beaming to see him stand there with his head held high, proud to lead his team as a senior in high school. 

The weekend, I would imagine was quite the sentimental overload for my parents, as Friday night was yet another milestone. It was my last Head of the Charles Banquet. On the eve of HOCR weekend it is tradition for the Boston College Men's and Women's Rowing teams to gather with their coaches, friends, parents and loved ones for a night of motivation and reflection, as the teams head into one of the most competitive weekends of the fall season. This year coincidentally also happened to be the 25th anniversary of the existence of rowing at Boston College- and both the men's and women's team captains were asked to deliver a speech to the room. It was an incredibly bittersweet moment, as myself and my two other teammates with whom I share the title of captain, proceeded to speak to our parents, teammates, and friends about what was soon to be our last collegiate Head of the Charles. 

Saturday and Sunday our teams took to the course, and were admirably brave and tenacious racing in the 48th annual Head of the Charles Regatta and finishing with extraordinarily impressive results. 

It was a weekend dedicated to celebrating a few "lasts,"and if I took anything away from the experience, in realizing just how quickly time slips away from us- everyone owes it to themselves to truly enjoy every moment, and live as happy as you possibly can. 

Things are changing all around us at the speed of light- and that most certainly wont be slowing down anytime soon. Take the time to enjoy where you are now. The people you are with. The dreams you are chasing. The goals you are working so hard to achieve. Enjoy it, because celebrating lasts- as exciting and exhilarating as it may be, is also a reminder of how quickly we are all moving on with our lives and beginning new chapters. 

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Above are a bunch of pictures from the weekend! A few notable shots:

Middle row to the right of center is a picture of the beautifully decorated, personalized oars that our underclassmen decorated for us as motivation before the HOCR. I speak for the rest of the team when I say that this was a huge boost of excitement- and definitely put smiles on everyones faces. 

Top row left of center is a picture of my brother and his girlfriend Hannah, it was freezing at his senior night game and she stayed through the entire thing- she also was so nice and spent the day with Drew on Sunday as he came into the city to watch me compete in the HOCR. She is just too sweet!

Middle row on the left is a picture of one of my best friends Tori and I, don't you just love our opposing colors!