My fourth joy tidbit is unapologetically loving what I love.

This joy tidbit is an essential ingredient in the secret sauce of being known.

If you know me in real life or have read this blog for any length, you have become acquainted with my love of ladybugs. Over the last year, Psalm 23 has become a daily touchstone in my life. 

There have been times when I wondered if I was sharing these affections too often, but whenever I receive a photo text from someone stumbling upon a ladybug or sharing a new way of looking at Psalm 23, I feel seen.

I feel known. 

From my first successful cartwheel as a child, I have loved gymnastics. I was enamored with Olga Korbut and wanted to be her after seeing her during the 1972 Olympics. I didn’t grow up in an area where anything beyond classes was available.

My parents fostered this love through private lessons taught by two different college gymnasts.
I remember being in awe of them. I watched them compete and would often grab one of my parents' hands when they released their grips from the high bar. I had a glorious time learning new skills from these heroes of mine.

This love of the sport has simmered over the years through watching the Olympics and other competitions. However, over the last five or more years, when college gymnastics became more accessible to viewing, my passion was reignited.

When Caleb decided to attend Oregon State University, a low whisper told me gymnastic meets might be in the foreseeable future.

I tucked the thought away because it was not my campus. 

When spring arrived last year, I asked Caleb if he would mind if Courtney and I descended on campus to attend the final home gymnastics meet. He readily agreed, and once the word was out, Carl and Carlen voiced their desire to drive down for the meet. We had a stellar time; the sold-out crowd provided an electric atmosphere. We all agreed, over a delicious dinner, that this could become a yearly tradition.

This season, especially since I have been home more often, I have fully immersed myself in college gymnastics. While Carl is watching basketball, I am taken over by the beauty and athleticism of the sport I have always adored.

A few weeks ago, I told a friend we were headed down to Corvallis for a meet. In her text response, she wondered if she remembered correctly that OSU was a team with an Olympic athlete. My response could have been a short email. On second glance,  I thought, wow, that was  A LOT. I sent a quick text apologizing for my obsession with gymnastics.

Being the good friend that she is, she responded by saying she loved it.

On Friday, following our family gym night, Caleb texted asking me to guess where he was.

My guesses failed.

He was waiting for a gymnastics meet to begin.

I was in Portland, readying myself to watch the same meet on television.

I quickly told him which gymnasts to watch from Arizona State, and we texted throughout the two-hour competition.

I was his personal color commentator.

A few days later, he asked if anyone would like to come down for the final home meet of the year. Carl and I headed south for one more in-person competition. We told him gymnastics was a bonus, but he was the main attraction.

For me, March Madness is not about baskets and free throws. It’s about basking in the joy of watching as many conference gymnastics championships as possible. I make no apologies, and I promise myself to move my body, too, during this marathon of flips and leaps. 

I love what I love, and expressing this reality has caused those around me to gain a deeper appreciation, renew and embrace their affections, and collectively share the love.

My niece’s boyfriend is a professional bowler.

We had the opportunity to watch him compete recently. We had only planned to stay for a round or two, but we were instantly swept up by the sport, watching Tyler and the supportive bowling community.

We took Tyler and Hilary out to lunch as there was a reasonable amount of time before his next match. We asked Tyler questions, and he explained many facets we didn’t know about bowling. When we watched his face, he was lit from inside and out. He was speaking about his love of bowling.

After spending six hours on a Saturday, we learned more about bowling and Tyler by sharing what he loved.

What do you fervently love?

Do you share this love with others?

The things we love and make us come alive are meant to be shared with others.

Make a point of sharing something you love with one person this month.