It has happened.  I have officially become a "Soccer Dad".

Yeah, yeah.  I know they always talk about "Soccer Moms", but my Y chromosome prohibits that from being an accurate label.  We don't have the mini-van or the SUV (though my wife really wants the mini-van), and we aren't all that preppy, but our daughter began soccer last night.  It was an interesting experience. 

Half way through she didn't seem too excited.  Water break led to me putting my arms around her, drying her tears and telling her it would be all right and that she was doing well.  Lots of 'thumbs up' signs and enthusiastic smiles later she seemed to be enjoying it.  Good.

I didn't have the greatest soccer experience growing up.  I was forced to choose: stop running from the ball or stop playing soccer.  So I stopped playing soccer.  I regret it to this day (as I really enjoy the sport and wish I hadn't been forced to stop playing), and was determined I wasn't going to do the same to my daughter.  So I called my wife (who was at the store) and told her she needed to pick up a soccer ball while there.

Tonight will be the first night of our daddy-daughter soccer camp. 

I think it will help her.  She loves dance, and loves to be active, but has not, as of yet, played a team sport.  There is another little girl on her team (coaches daughter) who literally put her arm around Jess and was holding her hand while the team was talking.  The smile that those simple actions brought to her face was priceless. 

But I have to say, once again, I feel so young!  Whenever I am at school related activities with our daughter I realize just how young we are compared her peer's parents.  It doesn't phase my wife because she doesn't constantly think of herself as a 'student'.  But I am, and so I do.  Yep, old enough to be a soccer dad and young enough to be a student all at the same time.  Crazy.