Life Lately

 

A Night With the Atlanta Dream

I made it to the Atlanta Dream game at halftime.

A thunderstorm, traffic, and the general adventure of getting across Atlanta had other plans for my evening. For a moment, I was disappointed that I had missed so much. But once I walked into the arena, that feeling gave way to something else: I was finally there.

The last time I’d been to a Dream game was during their opening season in 2008. I was a fan then, and I still am. This time, though, I came with a different kind of curiosity. I’m working toward a career in sports media and communications, and I found myself taking in everything around the basketball—the crowd, the entertainment, the little moments that made people feel part of the night.

I had planned to capture more, maybe even make a vlog. Instead, I spent most of the time watching. Seeing the players up close, hearing the fans, and feeling the energy in the building was enough to keep my phone down more than I expected. I’m glad I have these photos, but I’m also glad I let myself be there.

I left thinking about the people behind the scenes who help create that experience and tell its story. That is the kind of work I hope to do. My career so far has been in dental healthcare, where I’ve learned to communicate, coordinate, pay attention to details, and care about how people feel. I’m still learning how to bring those skills into sports, but that night made the possibility feel more real.

And I was simply happy to be a fan. I loved seeing the Dream, cheering for the players, and being reminded why women’s basketball means so much to me. Following their playoff journey has made me even more excited about what’s ahead for the team.

I don’t know exactly when I’ll get to experience a game from the other side of the story. For now, I’m grateful I went—even if I arrived at halftime. I’m looking forward to going back, seeing more, and continuing to find my place in this world.