Rowing spandex

I was a coxswain on Brown women’s rowing team for a couple of years. During this time, my team won the NCAA Championship and my boat won the Eastern Championship as we had an undefeated season. Putting this accomplishment aside, I learned a tremendous amount about what it means to be on the team and to work towards the same goal. I adored my rowers who gave everything they had in every single race even if it was a practice. I absolutely loved - and was equally overwhelmed by - the sheer amount of work and extraordinary discipline required, every minute of racing as a coxswain —- to the level that I secretly wished I was an American citizen so I could compete at the international level. Just to give you the context, this was my first year being in the States and I probably barely spoke English. What made up for this was my enthusiasm. 

Many of my teammates went on to represent the USA in the Olympics. One of them is my dear friend Deborah Dryer Vo.  She was the rockstar on the team and really took me under her wing. One day, she trustingly lent me this spandex with the USA team logo 16 years (!) ago. I felt so honored wearing this while daunted with the level of responsibility that came with it.  Heck, I felt as if I was the US champion! And maybe that’s why I kept it for so long. Even though I had lost touch with Deborah, through many of my moves, I always made sure to pack this carefully so I could one day return it to her because I know how meaningful this is to her.  And today I was able to reach her on Facebook!  This spandex is finally going back to where it belongs because the real owner earned it with all her tears and sweat.