Indescribable.

Well, WE did it. WE went and competed at my first able-bodied competition.

Brian and I left just before 6 this morning. I'll always accept my competitions either way, because I know I have to. And I always do well either way. But...there aren't words to describe what it meant to have him there.

The squatting event was first and we sat and discussed people's form and he explained the equipment to me. He knew some of the judges and told me about their lifting records. I was less nervous than I usually am (although, I don't really get overly nervous). I didn't have to think about anything...well, I had to have my opinion about how I was feeling. But, he was there to pick up habits of mine and know which way to take my warm-up. He got to lift off for me. And I absolutely loved having him there to psych me up and yell over top of me and get me focused during the setup and lift-off. The only girl lifting more than me was Mary...and for a change, she wasn't the only other girl!!!!!!! We stayed to watch the rest of the benching and talked more technique and discussed a little more of what he's going to do with me in the next couple of weeks at training. And we talked some more about the lifters we were watching. And all the way home, and through stopping for dinner, we talked just the same. All kinds of everything about training. It was such a great chance for me to just ask questions and soak up the knowledge that he has about the sport. It was a great day....just as I always thought and dreamed it would be, when watching the Olympians jump off the floor and hug their trainers after their routines. ....Come to think of it, I don't think I gave him a hug. But, the feeling of gratitude and excitement was there just the same.

I hit all three of my lifts, all three white lights for every lift, and I broke my Competition P.R. by 16 lbs. I think that was the greatest thing about him being there. He was there. He got to see me. And he's the one that pulled me up off the bench when it was done. He was the first face I saw and the first one to speak to me.....with a great big smile spread wide across his face. And that.....That was as great of a feeling as I always imagined it would be when I dreamed of being an Olympian. He has worked as hard toward my progress as I have. And I could tell he was proud of me. And he deserved me to get those lifts just as much as I did.

Even though today wasn't part of the Paralympic events...today, my Paralympic dream came full circle. It was everything I could have asked for...to have him there, to support me, and to be able to beam with pride that the work that we both put in together really does pay off and that what I do really does make me the happiest that anything ever could make me.

So, I benched 155 lbs., 165 lbs., and 175 lbs., and they were all technically sound, good lifts. It was a truly a day straight from paradise.

And of course, when we got back..... <3 Stretching <3