We are halfway through the week, and we are still going nonstop. The other cheerleaders and I have been making great use of our time on the shuttle between appearances, spending those moments writing our blogs and taking naps. This is the most demanding appearance schedule I have ever had, but it is worth it. When the director of guest services for the Miami Dolphins gave us his welcome speech, he asked us how we heard others describe this experience. The phrase “once in a lifetime” was echoed throughout the room. He reminded us to take in each moment and enjoy the experience.
With those words in mind this morning, I left for my first appearance of the day. Our coordinators have organized a precisely packed itinerary to take full advantage of our time here. For the past three days, the 26 of us have been split into four groups for community appearances, so that we are able to cover more ground. This morning my group visited the VA medical center in Miami. We met several veterans with incredible stories. We felt honored that they were so happy to spend some time with us.
Knowing that we had such a rigorous schedule, the Pro Bowl coordinators scheduled some time for rest and relaxation. In Miami, this means boarding a yacht and enjoying the sun. It was so nice to be on the water and have a moment of calmness before getting back to work.
This evening was our fashion show at the W Hotel on South Beach. Our runway looked amazing. The backdrop was a large print of the Pro Bowl Cheerleader poster, and the catwalk stretched across the pool. Each cheerleader modeled swimwear that was representative of her team, and each squad line performed a dance on the runway. Even the mascots were part of the show. Backstage was a frenzy getting everyone changed into their next outfit, but onstage was a well-rehearsed production. Dances were precise, timing was on point, and no one fell in the pool!
As exhausted as I am from our long days, I am continually reminding myself make the most of each moment. After all, this only happens once in a lifetime.
