My sons have been swimming for the last 6 years. William kicked off the swimming-craze for us back when he was 5 years old. I was just looking to get him into something fun that would take up maybe 2-3 days a week. My mom suggested I try a local swim program. William LOVED swimming back in his preschool days at our local YMCA. He seemed to be a little fish in the water and would constantly push himself to swim further out with his instructor. It was VERY important for me that the kids learn how to swim early on for the safety component. What I didn’t bank on was them really enjoying it, too!

William got his first little team suit and cap when he was 5, and soon after – each one of the McClelland boys joined him on the pool deck.

Swimming is one of the finest sports to me. It’s a self-disciplined sport. You need to be focused and determined and OK with the fact that it’s truly an individual sport. I’ve loved watching each of my sons turn into strong little swimmers throughout the years. It’s so much fun to see them excited about racing and really proud of themselves when they achieve a personal best time.

But for me, my favorite parts of swim meets has actually NOT been the swimming.

It’s been seeing my sons cheer each other on and root for other swimmers.

That’s been the best part.

This past week we were in Long Island, New York for the Eastern Zones Swimming Championships. My sons William and Alex competed this week there.  In order to swim, you must qualify for the meet. Now in New England, you must qualify for (3) events, so it makes it just that much harder to get yourself on the pool deck. I was BEYOND proud of my sons for pushing themselves and making it.

But what made me prouder was seeing 2 brothers stand by each other and (yes) love each other this past week.

This was my son Alex’s first time at a Zones Swim Meet, so William took his under his “wing” and showed him the ropes. They were so in sync, and as their parent, it was beautiful to see.

I just appreciated the love and kindness they showed each other.

For me, it wasn’t about the times in the pool that made me tear up.

It was seeing them wait for each other on the pool deck without being told.

It was seeing them walk around the pool with each other.

It was watching them laugh together.

It was watching them cheer for each other.

It made me proud.

The swimming?

Yeah, it’s important.

The love you show another person, it’s priceless.