Unstoppable

3X Olympic Beach Volleyball winner Kerri Walsh-Jennings once said, ~You touch every other ball and, if you screw up, you only have one person to back you up. You can't hide in the corner.~ In some aspect, matters of the heart regarding being in a significant relationship is like the sport of Olympic beach volleyball. Essentially, it's you and your partner literally, as well as metaphorically on the so called grandest stage up against the very skilled/top opponent known as love. For it can most definitely be a tough and not to mention exhausting situation indeed taking on not only a crafty, seasoned veteran, but each other too when areas in the sandy relationship court aren't working out as planned. Let me tell you something, that's when partners dig deep, set aside their differences, rely on and trust each other even more.

Without a doubt, it takes team effort to be on the top of the proverbial medal stand, so to speak, knowing full well hard work, determination, blood, sweat, tears have been given to be there achieving a goal. In a sense, it's that way with significant relationships as two two people work together in acquiring important/pivotal points by signaling and setting up one another to serve/hit/spike the volleyball representing the couple's heart. Thinking about it further, the volleyball, otherwise known as the couple's heart, is a representation of the following aspects shared: trust, respect, faith, loyalty, honor, intimacy, communication, understanding, forgiveness, happiness, joy, etc. True, it will gradually become easier rather than harder to settle into a groove with your partner so much so a much stronger bond will certainly be established.

As said before, it takes team effort to establish a strong partnership where unfortunately mistakes don't affect the focus both of you have. However, it's a sad state of affairs when continuous service errors/mistakes occur causing problems in the seemingly cohesive unit shared to where there is an absolute unfocus. You see, the lack of focus will inevitably lead to a slowly deteriorating partnership whereby anger, bitterness, resentment, distrust, lack of faith/communication/respect/teamwork, etc. come into play. Unfortunately, there comes a point where the team is no longer a team as there is simply just one or both individuals selfishly yelling out loud one word....mine. I think it's safe to say we know of a relationship in the past or in fact currently part of a relationship like this and there is absolutely no teamwork whatsoever.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in a significant relationship, do you and your partner give 100% no matter how difficult the challenges are? Oftentimes, having someone in your life who'll fight for every point with you instead of against is totally amazing. A special someone who won't doesn't have an ego accepting all the glory as he/she knowingly didn't put every ounce of their being into the match. To have a guy/girl who isn't afraid to get dirty and have every bit of sand in places that it shouldn't be in lets you know he/she is a keeper. Hey, to share the court with your best friend for life who is doing everything in his/her power just short of putting one's body on the line to make those unbelievable saves when it counts so the game isn't over yet brings absolute worthwhile comfort to your heart.

In retrospect, the Olympics are every 4 years but when it comes to the partnership that is marriage it's all year round. Sadly, a gold medal isn't won but you do win the pure satisfaction of putting your heart/soul into a relationship one can look back on and be proud of in the latter years of life. Additionally, you're representing your better half, which is the best feeling in the world. In other words, you can smile knowing everything was left on the sandy court without any regrets to think back on. Of course, you both have fans in the form of friends and family who are supportive and will continually cheer win or lose. In the end, when you have a partner who is a team player, can communicate with you verbally/nonverbally, and tells you "we got this" when the matches in life get intense you're not just a force to be reckoned with you're unstoppable.