If You Love Soccer, It’ll Love You Back: A Mom’s Gratitude Journal
I once heard the phrase If you love soccer, it’ll love you back — and over the years, it’s become a personal truth for me. Soccer has given so much to my daughters, my family, and even my own entrepreneurial journey. It’s more than a game; it’s a platform for growth, resilience, and connection. And, in many ways, it’s the inspiration behind CleatMates—a brand I created to give back to the sport that has shaped our lives.
Soccer is the heartbeat of our family. Early mornings on the sidelines, late-night uniform scrambles, and that nervous excitement before big matches—these moments have become part of our everyday life. But beyond the logistics, it’s what soccer has taught my family that matters most.
Building Self-Belief and Fresh Confidence
Soccer has been a masterclass in self-belief for my girls and also for myself. Together, we’ve learned to overcome setbacks, celebrate wins, and—most importantly—show up for ourselves and our teammates. It’s this confidence that inspired CleatMates. I wanted to create a product that supports girls in their journey through sports, one that keeps them feeling fresh, focused, and ready to tackle whatever comes their way.
Seeing my oldest daughter transition from player to coach has been a full-circle moment for me. She’s not just teaching skills but mentoring young players, helping them believe in themselves, just like her coaches once did for her. Knowing CleatMates plays a small role in helping girls like those she coaches feel confident and ready to play makes me incredibly proud.
Leadership On and Off the Field
My youngest daughter, the captain of her team, inspires me with her leadership. Watching her motivate her friends is a daily reminder of the importance of supporting and empowering each other. It’s a lesson I carry into building CleatMates.
At its core, CleatMates isn’t just about keeping cleats fresh—it’s about supporting the whole athlete. We’re a brand built on the belief that every girl deserves to feel confident in her shoes and in her own skin: whether she’s scoring goals, cheering her teammates on the field, or following her passion off the field.
Gratitude for the Game
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for soccer—for the lessons it’s taught my daughters, the values it’s instilled in our family, and the spark it gave me to start CleatMates. Building this brand has been my way of giving back to a sport that has given us so much.
If you love soccer, it’ll love you back—and for me, that love looks like confidence, teamwork, and the drive to keep playing, no matter what.
To all the soccer families out there who support CleatMates, thank you for making this journey even more meaningful. Happy Thanksgiving from our family (and team) to yours!