This is Riley, the daughter of Corin and Torrie, the people behind worldshorttrack.com. Isn't she the cutest? She's so chatty and a little acrobat, climbing everything she can. She's also extremely curious, and the whole world and everything in it is something for her to explore.

Went out to dinner with the new parents, and as always, it was a good time. In a short track fan world that has more than its share of gossip and drama, Corin and Torrie manage to keep themselves out of it all, and have a pure love for the sport without getting involved in politics. I always learn something about the sport when I'm with them.

But this time around, I learned so much more. They gave me a lot of insight on what being a new parent is like. I look forward to being a parent (someday) with a mixture of extreme anticipation and apprehension. Although I definitely want to be a parent, but I know life will change, and I won't have the slefish lifestyle that I lead now. They told me it wouldn't be easy, that my priorities in life would definitely change. Bringing around a stroller, setting up the car seat, changing diapers, worrying if she's going to behave in public - those are all things that come with the territory. But in the end, watching them with Riley and how happy they were was amazing. Life changes, but in a way, it gets better.

It's such a great feeling to see friends growing as people, reaching a new level of life and facing its challenges with strength from each other. I know Corin and Torrie are great parents, and will raise Riley to be a great gymnast, swimmer, or even short track skater. But even more than that, she'll be a good and genuine person, just like her parents.

Ahh...kids.

Not yet.

So don't even ask! :-P

Posted by Yano at August 26, 2004 06:44 AM

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