After 10 years of sleeping, eating and breathing baseball, S decided it was a good time to retire. He felt as if he gave it everything he had and no regrets. It’s hard to put into words the feelings and emotions as you look back at the memories we have made in baseball. The places we have been, the people we have met will always hold a special place in our hearts. We have reflected on our time in the game and the “what’s next” for our family. We were able to go to a MLBPAA conference in San Diego last December. Being surrounded by other players in the same situation was so refreshing to know we weren’t alone in navigating what life looks like after baseball. While playing, I guess you could say we never looked for the “what’s next” phase. We wanted to live in the moment and have no regrets.

10 years… marriage… and 2 kids later, I was at a crossroads in my life. I had such a burning desire to do something. It was finally my turn to have a career and to help our family out financially. I love my kids and watching them change and grow, but I also had things I wanted to achieve and do for ME. I think sometimes we get stuck as moms in trying to figure it all out. “If I do this, then where will my kids go? How do I get kids where they need to be if I want to work?” I had all of these emotions when trying to figure out my next move. I traveled with Sutton for the first 2.5 years of his life so we could support S. After S decided to retire, I just had a feeling of not wanting to stay home anymore but what that looked like I wasn’t sure just yet. I was pregnant with our daughter Hayden, and my focus was having a safe and healthy birth.

I knew from personal experience that I wanted something flexible and not sitting at a desk all day. With 2 small kids, flexibility for me was key when figuring out my next career move. I prayed God would reveal exactly what He wanted me to pursue. My next step would be a huge one for me, and I didn’t want to make that decision without God’s provision. Real estate is something I have always been interested in. S and I decided to buy a few tax liens in 2 different counties in Florida in 2016; I was able to learn so much through this experience and enough to know I enjoyed the buying and selling aspect and jumping through hoops (as weird as that sounds) to solve the issue.

God started revealing so much to me during this time of “what’s next.” In April, I took the plunge and signed up for an online Real Estate course to start pursuing my career. It was the best feeling to get started on the next chapter of my life. Being in baseball, I knew I had a lot I could offer as an agent. I understand the stress of moving on a whim or trying to find that perfect place to call home… especially when your from out of state and not even sure what is the best location to buy or rent (I have done this several times and just had to take recommendations from past wives in the area). I know what it’s like to find that perfect place to call home for your family (I have done it what seems like 30x). I bring so much knowledge, empathy and understanding as an agent. The whole process can be very stressful and that’s where I come in to minimize that for you and to make it smooth, fun and simple. I wish I would have had that those 10 years of traveling all over the world.

With all of this being said, I passed my class in June and have been studying for the Mississippi and national salesperson Real Estate exam whenever I found opportunity. I passed both exams, and I cannot wait to get to work and to service the Pinebelt area. S and I both graduated from USM in 2010 and in 2015 decided to move back and build our first home in Hattiesburg. We are so grateful for our neighbors that watched our home and helped maintain it while traveling for baseball. Hattiesburg truly has some special people in it that are always willing to lend a hand. We are so blessed to call it home!

After 10 years, it is my turn to pursue my career.I knew this day would come, but I was not quite sure exactly what it would look like and now it’s here, and so clear I can’t wait to get to work. “Finding Me” has been one of the greatest blessings. Supporting S for 10 years in his baseball career has been wonderful, but now, he gets to support me and my ambitions and dreams… maybe our 30s will be the best yet!

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

HC