Finish Lines

There are a lot of start lines in our lives. 

Birth, jobs, relationships, friendships, races, projects. 

It only stands to reason that there are finish lines, too.

Some are our own, but some we're only witness to. We may not have seen our grandmother's start line, but we've probably seen her finish line.

Some are worth mourning. Some are worth celebrating. Some, you feel nothing but relief.

In terms of racing, I've seen 125 start lines and 120 finish lines. Of those five missed finish lines:
- four I'd make the same choice on missing them again.
- one I regret.
- one which was nothing but relief.
- one where I still wonder "what if."

(Note: the "what if" and the regret are not the same race.)

Some finish lines in life blindside you. The end of friendships, divorces, death. Some leave you feeling relief; others bitterness; others joy. Some leave you feeling all of the possible feels you can feel.

The announcement of Skirt Sports' possible finish line is doling out the latter - feeling all the feels. 

I understand and respect Nicole DeBoom's decision to explore another path in her life. 

I'm deeply saddened at the potential loss of a brand that has been there for me for 13 years; one that I can know automatically if I purchase something that it will fit. 

I (okay, really B) feel a bit of relief that I no longer have to get creative with closet and drawer space to fit in even more Skirt. 

I also feel relief that Skirt is so well made that I will continue to have those pieces for another 13 years if I so choose to since I know they'll last that long. 

I feel anger at the circumstances that forced their hand while simultaneously understanding that this decision would probably have come regardless eventually, but maybe just not. right. now. 

I rejoice in the friends and connections I have made, knowing that those won't just go away because the clothing brand connecting us might.

I don't even know how to describe one of my feelings - of what I might miss out on, whether it be some amazing new fabric or print or product, or even new friend that might now not be made. Not fear, not angry ... impotence? Frustration? Sadness of what will never be? Mourning of lost possibility?

My first Skirt was a shirt, and I wrote a poem back in 2018 about what that one simple item of clothing meant. I converted to Skirt fully in 2010. I became an ambassador back in 2015, a captain in 2016, a model in 2018. I attended retreats each year I was an ambassador (this year not withstanding)(dang COVID-19)(2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

I'm thankful a friend talked me into doing Tri for the Cure in 2007, not only for sparking my torrid love affair with triathlon, but for unintentionally teaching me about Skirt Sports (the apparel sponsor).

I'm thankful for the silly SkirtChaser series that Brandon and I decided to run in 2008 which got me my first actual Skirt.

I'm thankful for the wide range of products and awesome patterns that got me sucked in.

I'm thankful I took the plunge and introduced myself to Nicole at the Tri for the Cure expo in ... either 2011 or 2012.

I'm thankful for the reboot of the ambassador program (the current one to this day) and for them accepting me in 2015.

I'm thankful for that first retreat in part for introducing me to Kim and Jake's.

I'm thankful for their faith in me and choosing me to be a captain in 2016.

I'm thankful for the countless connections I have made through Skirt.

I'm thankful for the community they gave me at a time in my life when I deeply needed one.

I'm thankful for them pushing me out of my comfort zone in so many little ways that I didn't even realize it was happening at the time.

I'm thankful for their trust in me to become one of their Real Woman models, and thankful I ignored my fears to even model a sports bra.

I'm thankful I was able to honor the company's 15th anniversary by wearing the newest iteration of the Race Belt Skirt at IRONMAN Wisconsin, the race Nicole won while wearing the very first Skirt prototype.

I'm thankful that while I wasn't there at Skirt's start line, I stumbled upon their race, and will be able to celebrate with them at their finish line. 

Nicole, thank you. Thank you to you and to everyone I've known at Skirt HQ over the years - Sarah, Noelle, Keri, Jen, Chris, Amy, Jenelle, Rebecca, and so many others I'm forgetting (not to mention Tim and Wilder). I feel blessed to have stumbled upon you and become a teeny tiny part of your story.